Spaniard Sainz confirms retirement
 |  Sainz set a record of 26 career victories in Argentina this year |
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MADRID, Spain -- Spain's twice former world rally champion Carlos Sainz will retire from the sport at the end of the season.
Sainz, 42, who took the world title in 1990 and 1992, announced the decision in Madrid on Thursday, bringing an end to an 18-year career in world rallying.
"I believe the right moment has arrived," Sainz said. "It's a change in lifestyle that will let me dedicate my life to my family."
Sainz made his world championship debut in 1987 in Portugal and won his first rally in Greece in 1990.
He went on to take the world title for the first time that year and won it again in 1992. He finished as runner-up four times and was third on five occasions.
Sainz won in Argentina in July this year to set a record of 26 career victories. Sainz had shared the previous record with Britain's Colin McRae.
With two rounds to go in this year's championship he is fourth in the standings behind Citroen team mate Sebastien Loeb, already confirmed as champion, Petter Solberg and Markko Martin.
