History of Carlos Sainz Jr. in Timeline

Carlos Sainz Jr., a Spanish racing driver, currently competes in Formula One. He has secured four Grand Prix wins over his 11 seasons in the sport. Sainz currently drives for Williams.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1990: Carlos Sainz Sr. Wins WRC

In 1990, Carlos Sainz Sr., father of Carlos Sainz Jr., won the World Rally Championship, marking a significant achievement in his rally driving career.

1992: Carlos Sainz Sr. Wins Second WRC

In 1992, Carlos Sainz Sr. secured his second World Rally Championship, adding to his legacy as a successful rally driver and influencing his son's career.

September 1994: Carlos Sainz Jr. Born

On September 1994, Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro was born in Madrid, Spain, to rally driver Carlos Sainz and his wife Reyes Vázquez de Castro.

2006: Starts Karting Career

In 2006, Carlos Sainz Jr. began his motorsport career in karting, marking his entry into competitive racing.

2008: Asia-Pacific KF3 Title and Spanish Championship Runner-Up

In 2008, Carlos Sainz Jr. won the Asia-Pacific KF3 title and finished as runner-up in the Spanish Championship, demonstrating his early success in karting.

2009: Junior Monaco Kart Cup Win and European KF3 Runner-Up

In 2009, Carlos Sainz Jr. won the Junior Monaco Kart Cup and was runner-up in the European KF3 Championship, adding to his achievements in karting.

2010: Joins Red Bull Junior Team

In 2010, Carlos Sainz Jr. became a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, which is a program designed to support and develop young racing talents.

2010: Graduation to Junior Formulae

In 2010, Carlos Sainz Jr. graduated from karting to junior formulae, marking the beginning of his career in higher-level motorsport.

2010: Raced in Formula BMW Europe

In 2010, Carlos Sainz raced in Formula BMW Europe with the EuroInternational team. He also made his Formula BMW debut during a guest drive in the Formula BMW Pacific series at Sepang, Malaysia, placing second in the opening race but being ineligible to score points as a guest driver. He finished 7th in the following race.

2011: Formula Renault NEC Championship Win

In 2011, Carlos Sainz Jr. won his first championship at the Formula Renault NEC with Koiranen. He also finished as runner-up to Robin Frijns in the Eurocup during the same year.

2012: Raced in British and Euro Series Formula 3

During the 2012 season, Carlos Sainz raced in both British and Euro Series Formula 3 championships for Carlin, winning four races, finishing nine times on the podium, and scoring a pole position in the British championship, finishing sixth overall in the final championship standings. He scored two podiums and two pole positions in the Euro Series championship, finishing in ninth position overall.

2012: Contested British Formula 3, Formula 3 Euro Series and FIA European Formula 3

In 2012, Carlos Sainz Jr. participated in the British Formula 3, the Formula 3 Euro Series, and the FIA European Formula 3 championships with Carlin, expanding his experience in various Formula 3 competitions.

July 2013: First Experience in a Formula One Car

In July 2013, Carlos Sainz had his first experience in a Formula One car at the young drivers' test at Silverstone Circuit, driving both the Toro Rosso STR8 and the Red Bull RB9.

2013: GP3 Series Rookie Season

In 2013, Carlos Sainz Jr. competed in the GP3 Series with Arden, finishing tenth in his first season, gaining experience in this racing category.

2013: First Formula Renault 3.5 season

In 2013, Carlos Sainz raced in Formula Renault 3.5 for the first time but missed several races. He finished 6th in Monaco and experienced a double retirement in Spa. He had a challenging season with several retirements and lower finishes.

2013: Death of María de Villota

In 2013, María de Villota, who coached Carlos Sainz Jr. at driving school in Madrid, passed away, personally affecting Sainz.

2014: Drove the Red Bull RB10 in post-season test

In 2014, As a reward for his Formula Renault 3.5 Series title, Carlos Sainz drove the Red Bull RB10 in the post-season test after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

2014: Formula Renault 3.5 Series Championship Win

In 2014, Carlos Sainz Jr. achieved success in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, winning the championship with DAMS, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2014: Switched teams to DAMS

In 2014, Carlos Sainz switched teams to DAMS in Formula Renault 3.5. He won the second race at Monza after finishing 18th in the first race and secured another win at Aragon. The weekend at Spa followed with another 2 wins. He won race 1 at the Nürburgring GP Circuit but retired in race 2. In France, he won and scored a total of 50 points to extend his championship lead over Merhi.

2014: Star on Helmet in Honor of María de Villota

Since 2014, Carlos Sainz Jr. has kept a star on his helmet in honor of María de Villota, who coached him at driving school in Madrid, as a tribute to her memory and influence.

2015: Formula One Debut with Toro Rosso

In 2015, Carlos Sainz Jr. debuted in Formula One with Toro Rosso, partnering with Max Verstappen, starting his journey in the premier racing category.

2015: Drove for Scuderia Toro Rosso

In 2015, Carlos Sainz drove for Scuderia Toro Rosso partnering with Max Verstappen. He qualified inside the top ten for his debut, the Australian Grand Prix, and finished the race in ninth position. He scored points again at the Malaysian Grand Prix, but failed to score at the Chinese Grand Prix after spinning and then retired from the Bahrain Grand Prix with a wheel issue.

2016: Named Ambassador of María de Villota's Legacy

In 2016, Carlos Sainz Jr. was named the Ambassador of María de Villota's Legacy, honoring her memory and contributions to motorsport, as she had coached him at driving school in Madrid.

2016: Remained with Toro Rosso

In 2016, Toro Rosso retained Carlos Sainz and Verstappen for the championship. Sainz qualified seventh and finished ninth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, but retired from the Bahrain Grand Prix due to a collision with Sergio Pérez. He got a new teammate after the Russian Grand Prix, Daniil Kvyat.

2017: Replaced Jolyon Palmer at Renault

Carlos Sainz's move to Renault was brought forward and he replaced Jolyon Palmer and partnered Nico Hülkenberg at the team for the final four races of 2017, beginning with the United States Grand Prix where he started and finished seventh. He later retired from the Mexican Grand Prix with steering problems.

2017: Move to Renault

During the 2017 United States Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz Jr. moved to Renault, replacing Jolyon Palmer, after having already signed with the team for 2018.

2017: Remained with Toro Rosso

In 2017, Carlos Sainz and Kvyat remained with Toro Rosso for the season. Sainz scored points in the opening two races, but a collision with Lance Stroll eliminated him from the Bahrain Grand Prix. Sainz was again handed a grid penalty for a first-lap collision with Romain Grosjean and Felipe Massa at the Canadian Grand Prix.

2017: Began Dating Isabel Hernáez

In 2017, Sainz began dating Isabel Hernáez.

2018: Renault Contract

In 2018, Carlos Sainz Jr. officially joined Renault, continuing his Formula One career with the team.

2018: Competed for Renault

Over the first eight races of 2018, Carlos Sainz qualified in the top ten at each of them and scored points in all but one, finishing eleventh at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He finished a season-high position of fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He had run in sixth place for much of the French Grand Prix but dropped to eighth place at the finish after his MGU-K failed.

2018: Joined Renault for 2018

Prior to the Singapore Grand Prix, it was announced that Carlos Sainz would join Renault for 2018, on loan from Red Bull. He was joined at Toro Rosso by Pierre Gasly for the Malaysian Grand Prix after Kvyat was dropped by the team.

2019: Signs with McLaren

In 2019, Carlos Sainz Jr. moved to McLaren, ending his association with Red Bull and starting a new chapter with the British team. That year he also achieved his maiden podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

2020: Podium at the Italian Grand Prix

In 2020, Carlos Sainz Jr. secured another podium finish at the Italian Grand Prix, demonstrating his consistent performance with McLaren.

2020: Sixth in the Driver's Championship

In 2020, Sainz finished the season sixth in the Drivers' Championship for the second consecutive year, accumulating 105 points and achieving six top-five finishes, both career highs at the time.

2020: Fifth-Place Finish at Austrian Grand Prix and Fastest Lap at Styrian Grand Prix

In 2020, Sainz started the season with a fifth-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix. He then qualified third for the Styrian Grand Prix, achieving his best career qualifying result at that time. During the Styrian Grand Prix, Sainz also achieved his first fastest lap in Formula One, setting a new Red Bull Ring track record.

2021: Joined Scuderia Ferrari

In 2021, Carlos Sainz Jr. joined Scuderia Ferrari on a two-year contract, partnering with Charles Leclerc. He finished eighth at the Bahrain Grand Prix, his first race for the team. Later in the year, he secured his third career podium and first with Ferrari at the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing second.

2021: Fifth in the Driver's Championship

In 2021, Sainz finished fifth at the Dutch Grand Prix but was demoted to eighth due to a penalty. He finished fourth at the Italian Grand Prix, and crashed out from third place on the opening lap at the Japanese Grand Prix. At the end of the season, Sainz matched his 2021 position with fifth in the Driver's Championship.

2022: Continued at Ferrari alongside Leclerc

In 2022, Sainz continued driving for Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, a strong performance led to a Ferrari 1-2 finish. However, the Australian Grand Prix ended early due to a spin into the gravel. Sainz finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix, his best result at his home race, and second at the Monaco Grand Prix. A hydraulics issue at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix caused a retirement.

2022: Sebastian Vettel Retires

In 2022, Sebastian Vettel retired from Formula One at the end of the year, resulting in Sainz replacing Vettel as a director of the GPDA.

2022: Winning F1-75 chassis from 2022

In 2022, after Sainz's departure, Ferrari rewarded him with his race-winning F1-75 chassis.

2022: Maiden Pole Position and Win at British Grand Prix

In 2022, after a winless debut season for Ferrari, Carlos Sainz Jr. achieved his first pole position and race win at the British Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone.

2022: Ferrari 1-2 Finish at Bahrain Grand Prix

In 2022, at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Sainz ran in third place until Max Verstappen's retirement, allowing him into second place behind Leclerc to claim a Ferrari 1–2 finish and an early lead in the Constructors' Championship.

June 2023: Started Boogie Burger Restaurant

In June 2023, Sainz started a hamburger restaurant in Madrid named Boogie Burger with a group of friends.

2023: Victory at Singapore Grand Prix

In 2023, Carlos Sainz Jr. secured another victory for Ferrari at the Singapore Grand Prix, adding to his achievements with the team.

2023: 2023 Season

In 2023, Sainz began the season finishing fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He faced a penalty at the Australian Grand Prix after contact with Fernando Alonso. He also crashed in practice at the Monaco Grand Prix. He later finished fifth at his home race, the Spanish Grand Prix.

2023: Ended Relationship with Isabel Hernáez

In 2023, Sainz ended his relationship with Isabel Hernáez.

2023: First Pole Position and Victory in Singapore

In 2023, Sainz secured his first pole position of the year at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing third. He then achieved his second Formula One victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, ending Red Bull's winning streak.

2023: Robbed of Watch in Milan

In 2023, Sainz was robbed of his watch in Milan, but he managed to catch the assailant.

2024: Began Dating Rebecca Donaldson

As of 2024, Sainz is dating Rebecca Donaldson.

2024: Wins in Australia and Mexico City

In 2024, Carlos Sainz Jr. achieved further wins for Ferrari in Australia and Mexico City, continuing to demonstrate his competitive edge.

2024: Departure from Ferrari

In 2024, Sainz left Ferrari after the season.

2024: Contract Extension with Ferrari

In 2024, Sainz signed a contract extension to continue with Ferrari until the end of the year.

2024: Podium in Bahrain and Win in Australia

In 2024, Sainz started the season with a podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He later won the Australian Grand Prix, marking his third Formula One victory. During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Sainz fell ill with appendicitis and was unable to participate.

February 2025: Appointment to Director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA)

In February 2025, Sainz was appointed as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). In this role, Sainz is responsible for communicating concerns about safety, racing quality, and the junior driver pipeline.

2025: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Achievements

As of the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz Jr. has achieved four race wins, six pole positions, four fastest laps, and 27 podiums in Formula One.

2025: Joins Williams

In 2025, Carlos Sainz Jr., replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton, will join Williams to partner with Alexander Albon, marking a new chapter in his Formula One career.