Carlos Sainz Jr.: F1 Career, Girlfriend, and Williams Move

If your last name is Sainz and you drive a race car, the first question is always about your father. For Carlos Sainz Jr., the son of a two-time World Rally champion, that question has followed him since karting. But over a decade in Formula 1, he has built a record — three race wins, 23 podiums, and a reputation as one of the grid’s most consistent drivers — that stands entirely on its own.

Born: 1 September 1994, Madrid, Spain ·
F1 Debut: 2015 Australian Grand Prix with Toro Rosso ·
Teams: Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams ·
Race Wins: 3 (2022 British GP, 2023 Singapore GP, 2024 Australian GP) ·
Podiums: 23 (as of 2024 season)

Twelve key facts about Carlos Sainz Jr., drawn from official and verified sources, give a clear picture of his career and personal life.

Who is Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend?

Who is Rebecca Donaldson?

• Rebecca Donaldson is a Scottish model and influencer, often seen at F1 races supporting Sainz. According to People, she is a Scottish model. The South China Morning Post also describes her as a Scottish model who has appeared in a Ferrari advertisement.
• Beyond modeling, Donaldson runs her own entrepreneurial ventures, as noted by Tuko.

How did Sainz and Donaldson meet?

• The couple were first linked in the summer of 2023, according to People. Both have kept the early details of their meeting private.
• Since then, they have made public appearances together at Grands Prix and other events, with Donaldson frequently seen in the paddock.

What is Rebecca Donaldson’s profession?

• Donaldson is primarily a model, but also engages in content creation and brand partnerships. Crash.net reports she is a model and influencer.
• In a 2026 interview with People, Donaldson called Sainz her boyfriend and described him as the best-dressed F1 driver.

The implication is that Sainz balances public and private life effectively.

What does Carlos Sainz’s wife do?

Is Carlos Sainz married?

• No. Carlos Sainz Jr. is not married. This question frequently appears in search queries due to confusion, but multiple sources confirm he is not a husband.
• His current partner is Rebecca Donaldson, his girlfriend since 2023, as reported by Crash.net.

Why is there confusion about his spouse?

• The confusion likely stems from the fact that many F1 drivers of Sainz’s age are married or engaged, and the term “wife” is often used loosely in media headlines.
• Additionally, his father Carlos Sainz Sr. has been married for decades, leading fans to assume the son follows the same pattern.

What is the correct relationship status?

• Carlos Sainz Jr. is in a long-term relationship with Rebecca Donaldson, not a wife. No verifiable evidence of a wife exists.
• Engagement rumors have not been confirmed; as of early 2026, no public announcement has been made.

The pattern shows that misinformation persists despite clear evidence.

Does Carlos Sainz have a kid?

Has Sainz ever mentioned children?

• Carlos Sainz Jr. has no children. He has not publicly discussed fatherhood plans.
• All credible sources — including his official F1 profile and personal interviews — list no offspring.

What is his family plan?

• At 30, Sainz appears focused on his racing career. His move to Williams and the challenge of rebuilding a team suggest children are not an immediate priority.
• Neither he nor Rebecca Donaldson have shared any family planning information.

Are there any known children?

• No. A search of reliable databases and interviews returns zero results for any children of Carlos Sainz Jr.

The catch is that Sainz’s focus on racing may delay family plans indefinitely.

Has Carlos Sainz jr won a World championship?

How close has Sainz come to winning the championship?

• Carlos Sainz Jr. has not won a Formula 1 World Championship. His best championship finish is 3rd in 2022, driving for Ferrari. Formula One History confirms his career stats.
• In 2022 he finished behind Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), but he did outperform his teammate Leclerc in a number of races.

What are his best season finishes?

• Aside from 3rd in 2022, Sainz finished 5th in 2021 (McLaren), 7th in 2023 (Ferrari), and 5th in 2024 (Ferrari).
• He has accumulated 23 podiums as of the end of the 2024 season, according to F1 Fansite.

What are his career wins?

• Sainz has three Grand Prix victories: the 2022 British Grand Prix, the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, and the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.
• His win at Silverstone in 2022 was his first, and it came after a dramatic race that included a late restart.

What this means is that Sainz’s legacy will be defined by consistency rather than championships.

Does Ferrari regret dropping Sainz?

Why did Sainz leave Ferrari?

• Ferrari replaced Sainz with Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season. The decision was announced in early 2024, sending shockwaves through the paddock.
• Sainz then joined Williams for the 2025 season, as confirmed by Kym Illman.

How has Sainz performed after leaving Ferrari?

• Early returns from the 2025 season with Williams are mixed, but Sainz has shown flashes of the consistency that made him a sought-after driver.
• Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, commented: “He is a top driver and will have a great career ahead.”

What is the media and fan sentiment?

• Opinions are divided. Some analysts question Ferrari’s decision, given Sainz’s consistent performances and ability to extract results from difficult cars.
• Others argue that signing Hamilton — even at 40 — is a marketing coup that outweighs on-track considerations.

“He is a top driver and will have a great career ahead.”

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal (comment on Sainz’s departure)

The consequence is that Ferrari’s gamble may be remembered as either a masterstroke or a misjudgment.

Career Timeline

• 1 September 1994: Born in Madrid, Spain to Carlos Sainz Sr. (rally champion) and Reyes Vázquez.
• 2010–2014: Karting and junior formula career; wins Formula 3 European Championship in 2014.
• 2015: F1 debut with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
• 2017–2018: Moved to Renault F1 Team.
• 2019–2020: Raced for McLaren, securing his first podium (2020 Italian GP).
• 2021–2024: Joined Ferrari; first win at 2022 British GP; additional wins in 2023 Singapore and 2024 Australia.
• 2025: Left Ferrari and signed with Williams Racing.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Notable Quotes

“Smooth Operator.”

Carlos Sainz Jr., Instagram bio

“He is a top driver and will have a great career ahead.”

Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal

Rebecca Donaldson spoke about supporting Sainz during the 2024 season, saying she attends as many races as possible and that they share a “normal” life away from the track.

Rebecca Donaldson, interview with People

Summary: The Road Ahead

Carlos Sainz Jr. leaves Ferrari with his reputation intact — a driver who never won a title but consistently outpaced expectations. At Williams, he carries the burden of rebuilding a once-great team. For the Spanish fans who have followed him since Toro Rosso, the choice is clear: watch a driver who chose legacy over comfort, or risk watching from the sidelines while the grid moves on.

Related reading: Carlos Sainz Jr. full career history · Carlos Sainz Jr. statistics and stats profile

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