Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro was born on September 1, 1994, in Madrid, Spain. He is the son of Carlos Sainz Sr., a two-time World Rally Champion and one of the greatest rally drivers in history. Despite growing up in the shadow of his father's achievements, Sainz Jr. was determined to make his own mark in motorsport, choosing circuit racing over rallying.

Sainz's junior career was impressive: he won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2014 before graduating to Formula 1 with Toro Rosso in 2015, alongside Max Verstappen. The two young drivers immediately formed one of the most exciting driver pairings on the grid, pushing each other to impressive performances.

When Verstappen was promoted to Red Bull Racing in 2016, Sainz remained at Toro Rosso before being loaned to Renault for the final races of 2017 and the full 2018 season. At Renault, he proved he could perform at a works team, consistently scoring points and demonstrating the smooth, consistent style that would become his trademark.

Sainz moved to McLaren for 2019-2020, where he thrived alongside Lando Norris. He finished sixth in the 2019 championship — the best result of his career at that point — and took his first podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix. His time at McLaren established him as one of the most underrated drivers on the grid and earned him a call from Ferrari.

At Ferrari (2021-2024), Sainz elevated his game further. He won his first Grand Prix at the 2022 British Grand Prix, taking the lead from Charles Leclerc in dramatic fashion. He added further victories and proved he could match and occasionally beat Leclerc, one of the sport's most naturally gifted drivers. His 2023 season included a stunning victory at the Singapore Grand Prix where he dominated proceedings.

Despite his strong performances, Ferrari chose Lewis Hamilton as Leclerc's teammate for 2025, leaving Sainz without a seat at a top team. He signed with Williams, bringing his experience, racecraft, and winning mentality to a team rebuilding towards the front of the grid. His exceptional tyre management, smooth driving style, and ability to deliver in all conditions make him one of the most complete drivers in F1.