Carlos Sainz Jr.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Born in Madrid, Sainz is the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz. Graduating from karting to junior formulae in 2010, Sainz won his first championship at the Formula Renault NEC in 2011 with Koiranen, finishing runner-up to Robin Frijns in the Eurocup that year. In 2012, Sainz contested British Formula 3, the Formula 3 Euro Series and FIA European Formula 3 with Carlin. Sainz progressed to the GP3 Series with Arden in 2013, finishing tenth in his rookie season. He then found success in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, winning the championship in 2014 with DAMS. A member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2010, Sainz signed with Toro Rosso in 2015, debuting alongside Max Verstappen. He remained at Toro Rosso until the 2017 United States Grand Prix, where he replaced Jolyon Palmer at Renault, having already signed with the team from 2018 onwards. Sainz moved to McLaren in 2019, ending his association with Red Bull. He took his maiden podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix that year, followed by another at the Italian Grand Prix in 2020. Sainz signed for Ferrari in 2021, replacing Sebastian Vettel to partner Charles Leclerc. After a winless debut season for Ferrari, Sainz took his maiden pole position and win at the British Grand Prix in 2022. He took further wins for Ferrari at Singapore in 2023, as well as Australia and Mexico City in 2024. Replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz joined Williams to partner Alexander Albon, claiming two podiums at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the Qatar Grand Prix.

In Their Own Story

In 2019, Sainz moved to McLaren, ending his Red Bull association and taking his maiden podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix, followed by another in Italy in 2020. The narrative shifted dramatically when he joined Ferrari in 2021 to partner Charles Leclerc. After a winless debut year, he secured his first pole position and maiden victory at the British Grand Prix in 2022. He added wins in Singapore (2023) and Australia and Mexico City (2024). The source notes that Lewis Hamilton replaced him for 2025, leading to his move to Williams. There, he claimed podiums at the Azerbaijan and Qatar Grands Prix. Throughout these years, his connection with Mercedes remained non-existent; no contract or race drive ever linked him to Brackley.

Reader's Guide

As of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, Sainz has achieved four race wins, six pole positions, four fastest laps and 29 podiums in Formula One. Sainz is contracted to remain at Williams until at least the end of the 2027 season.

Did You Know?

• Sainz was coached by María de Villota at driving school in Madrid.
• He has kept a star on his helmet since 2014 in honor of María de Villota.
• Sainz was named Ambassador of María de Villota's Legacy in 2016.