Carlos Sainz Jr Biography

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (September 1, 1994), better known as Carlos Sainz or Carlos Sainz Jr., is a Formula 1 driver, born in Madrid, Spain. Recognized worldwide for his success on the most demanding circuits, this Spanish driver has managed to forge his own path in motorsport, defying the expectations imposed by his surname, his father’s fame, and career. Sainz Jr. has carved an impressive career on his own merit.

 

Early years

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro, also known as Carlos Sainz or Carlos Sainz Jr., was born in Madrid, Spain. He is the son of the famous rally driver and two-time champion, Carlos Sainz, and Reyes Vázquez de Castro. He has two sisters, Blanca, who is the eldest, and Ana, who is his younger sister by four years.

His full name is Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro Cenamor Rincón Rebollo Birto Moreno de Aranda de Anteruriaga Tiapera Deltún.

During his childhood, Carlos Jr. grew up surrounded by the world of motorsport, as his father and uncle are car racers. When Carlos was two years old, his father discovered him performing Scandinavian flicks in his electric cart. From a very young age, he showed great interest in motorsports. At the age of 8, he began competing in karting, a discipline that would help him develop his skills as a driver.

Carlos Sainz Jr. studied at the British Council School, where he learned English. His family wanted him to pursue a university degree, even though his true passion was to become an F1 driver. He opted to study art history, but his primary focus was always on motorsport.

 

Karting

In his early years in karting, Carlos Sainz Jr. showed exceptional talent and managed to stand out in several national and international competitions. His performance caught the attention of experts in motorsport, who saw in him a promising future in single-seater racing.

Carlos Sainz Jr. took his first steps in the world of karting in 2006, under the guidance of his father. Quickly, he began to achieve outstanding results, securing the third position in the Minikarts Industrie Tournament. In 2008, at the age of 14, Carlos reached a significant milestone by winning the Asia-Pacific KF3 title and obtaining the runner-up position in the Spanish KF3 Championship. His talent continued to shine in 2009, as he became the champion in the renowned Monaco Kart Cup Junior. Additionally, he once again secured the runner-up position in both the European KF3 Championship and the Spanish KF3 Championship. These impressive achievements opened the doors for him to join the Red Bull Junior Team, a crucial milestone in his career.

Photo: @carlossainz55 (vía Instagram)

 

Formula BMW Europe, Formula Renault 2.0, and Formula 3 Euroseries.

In 2010, when Carlos Sainz Jr. was 15 years old, he made the leap to single-seaters by joining the EuroInternational team in the Formula BMW Europe. During his first season in the category, he showed impressive performance and managed to win the award for the best rookie driver of the year, finishing in fourth place in the championship. This opened the doors for him to continue advancing in his career. Additionally, he simultaneously participated in the Formula BMW Asia-Pacific, where he wasn’t eligible for points, but secured three notable victories. One of them took place in November at the legendary Macau circuit, where he achieved the pole position and led the entire race.

In the following years, Sainz Jr. continued his progression in the lower categories of motorsport. He competed in Formula Renault 2.0 and in the Formula 3 Euroseries, where he achieved good results and earned the respect of his rivals and fans.

 

Formula 1

Toro Rosso: 2015-2017

Carlos Sainz Jr. joined the Toro Rosso team in the 2015 Formula 1 season. He was selected as a full-time driver alongside his teammate, Max Verstappen, forming one of the youngest pairings in Formula 1 history.

During his first season with Toro Rosso, Sainz Jr. showcased great talent and skill behind the wheel. He quickly adapted to the pace of Formula 1 and achieved notable results in several races. His most outstanding performance came at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished in an impressive fifth position on the grid, earning valuable points for the team.

In the third free practice session of the Russian GP, Carlos Sainz suffered a shocking accident that unfortunately forced him to miss the qualifying session. Fortunately, Sainz did not sustain serious injuries and was able to participate in the race. However, due to a brake issue, he was once again forced to retire.

During his second season in 2016, Sainz Jr. continued to accumulate points and showcase his speed and skill on the track. Once again, he achieved notable results, including a sixth-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix and a seventh-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

In the 2017 season, Carlos Sainz Jr. remained with Toro Rosso until the United States Grand Prix, at which point he was loaned to the Renault team to complete the season. Despite this team change, Sainz Jr. left a significant mark at Toro Rosso, and his performance was recognized by the motorsport community.

 

Toro Rosso: Sainz’s Teammates

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s teammates at Toro Rosso during his Formula 1 career with this team were:

  • Max Verstappen (2015-2016): Carlos Sainz Jr. shared the team with Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso. Both made their Formula 1 debut that year and formed a young and talented pairing. After a season and a half, Max moved from Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing.
  • Daniil Kvyat (2016-2017): Sainz was teammates with Russian driver Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso. Kvyat returned to Toro Rosso after being demoted from Red Bull Racing. That year, Sainz was transferred to Renault.

 

Renault: 2017-2018

In 2017, Carlos Sainz was transferred to Renault as a replacement for British driver Jolyon Palmer, starting from the United States Grand Prix. In his debut with the French team, he achieved an impressive seventh-place finish. Throughout the season, Sainz stood out, securing the ninth position in the championship, surpassing all of his teammates.

In the 2018 season, Carlos Sainz finished in the tenth position in the championship, trailing behind his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, who secured the seventh place. His best race result was a fifth-place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sainz managed to complete 19 out of the 21 Grand Prix races in the 2018 season but was forced to retire in the British GP due to a collision with the driver Romain Grosjean and in the Mexican GP due to suspension issues. That was his final season with Renault.

 

Renault: Sainz’s Teammates

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s teammate at Renault during his Formula 1 career with this team was:

  • Nico Hülkenberg (2017-2018): Carlos Sainz Jr. shared the team with German driver Nico Hülkenberg at Renault. Both drivers were part of the Renault team during that season.

 

McLaren: 2019-2020

Carlos Sainz joined McLaren after leaving the Renault team, becoming teammates with Lando Norris. In his first season, he had a challenging start with retirements and a collision, but he later managed to qualify in the points in almost every race, surpassing Pierre Gasly’s Red Bull. He stood out by achieving his first podium at the Brazilian GP, starting from the last position. Sainz became the second driver to accomplish this feat and did so in 101 Grand Prix races, surpassing Martin Brundle’s record. He finished the season in sixth place, being the best driver after Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

For the 2020 Formula 1 season, Carlos experienced ups and downs in the early races, notably achieving a fifth-place finish in Austria and a ninth-place finish in the second race. He faced challenges with slow pit stops and punctures but managed a remarkable second-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix. He also had tough moments, like accidents in the first lap during the races in Tuscany and Russia. However, he bounced back and finished in the top seven in the final races, helping McLaren secure third place in the constructors’ championship.

Sainz concluded the season in sixth position in the drivers’ championship, trailing behind the leading teams. By mid-year, Sainz had already been signed by Scuderia Ferrari, making this his final season with McLaren.

 

McLaren: Sainz’s Teammates

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s teammate at McLaren during his Formula 1 career with this team was:

  • Lando Norris (2019-2020): Carlos Sainz Jr. shared the team with British driver Lando Norris at McLaren. Both drivers formed a young and talented pairing during that period.

 

Scuderia Ferrari: 2021-Present

In May 2020, Carlos Sainz Jr. was confirmed as a full-time driver for Scuderia Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In his debut with Ferrari, he had ups and downs in the early races, securing an impressive second-place finish at the Monaco GP. Throughout the season, Sainz showed consistency and achieved two more podiums in Hungary and Russia. In the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, he finished in third place, surpassing his teammate and Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship, concluding in the fifth position.

The 2022 season was a significant breakthrough for Ferrari, as they returned to the fight for victories and the championship. Carlos Sainz achieved remarkable results, securing podium finishes in several races, including his first-ever victory at the British Grand Prix, where he also clinched the pole position. This triumph made him the second Spanish driver to achieve such a feat, following in the footsteps of Fernando Alonso. In this season, Sainz finished in fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship, while Ferrari secured the second position in the Constructors’ Championship.

In 2023, Carlos Sainz has faced challenges alongside his teammate Leclerc at Ferrari, due to setbacks with the team and technicians that have affected their performance. Recently, the team has shown deficiencies in managing several situations. An example of this occurred during qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix when Sainz’s teammate requested a tire change during his pit stop. Unfortunately, the Ferrari team denied this request, arguing that Max Verstappen, a driver from Red Bull Racing, had not yet done so. As a result, Leclerc was excluded from the starting grid. However, due to a penalty imposed on Carlos Sainz, his teammate Charles Leclerc managed to advance to the tenth position, securing a spot among the top ten.

 

Ferrari: Sainz’s Teammates

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s teammate at Ferrari during his Formula 1 career with this team was:

  • Charles Leclerc (2021-Present): Carlos Sainz Jr. shared the team with the Monegasque driver, Charles Leclerc, at Ferrari. Both drivers have formed a young and talented pairing during this period, becoming a favorite duo among spectators, both on and off the circuits.

 

Carlos Sainz: 2023 season

In the thrilling ongoing 2023 Formula 1 season, the talented Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr. currently holds the sixth position with 87 points, having achieved 0 wins and 0 podiums. The leaders of this season so far are Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, and Fernando Alonso, who have showcased their prowess on the track and are at the top positions in the championship.

Photo: @carlossainz55 (vía Instagram)

 

Personal life

Carlos Sainz Jr. had his first girlfriend at the age of 13, maintaining a relationship with her for four years and sharing their first experiences together. The driver has mentioned that he has been emotionally involved with someone for most of his life. However, he considers himself not particularly affectionate and loving in general, reserving those expressions for private moments with his partner and close ones.

Carlos Sainz was in a relationship with Isabel Hernáez, also known as Isa Hernáez. They met through mutual friends, and it was Carlos who was attracted to Isa from the beginning. The relationship was the subject of many rumors, with some considering them the perfect couple, while others claimed it was marked by deceit and infidelity. Although the exact circumstances that led to the end of their relationship are not publicly known, unfortunately, after six years together, their love came to an end. As of now, neither of them has made any statements about the reasons behind this decision.

There were opinions among Carlos Sainz’s fans and followers that pointed to Isa Hernáez as responsible for leaking information about her then-boyfriend’s family. It was rumored that from an Isa Hernáez fan page, all the details of Carlos’s younger sister Ana Sainz’s wedding were leaked. From the date and location to the details of the bridesmaids’ dresses, it all seemed to have been leaked. Additionally, there were rumors that Isa was the one contacting magazines and paparazzi to take photographs and publish articles about Carlos and her, as well as exposing pictures of the Sainz family that no one else had or captured. However, it is important to highlight that these claims are merely speculations, and there is no official confirmation of their accuracy.

 

Filmography

Carlos Sainz has appeared in several visual works, including:

  • “Sainz: Living to Compete” (2021): This series explores the life and career of Carlos Sainz Jr.’s father during that time. It offers glimpses of the F1 driver alongside his father and family.
  • “Lightyear” (2022): Carlos Sainz provided his voice for the Spanish dub of a cameo in the “Toy Story” spin-off, “Lightyear”. He portrays one of the two guards sent to take away Sox the cat. The same character in the Italian dub was covered by Charles Leclerc.
  • “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” (2023): This series covers various aspects of Formula 1, both on and off the track. It follows Carlos Sainz’s journey from his time at Renault to his current involvement with Scuderia Ferrari. In addition to Sainz, the series delves deep into all the drivers, their teams, and their respective scuderias.

 

Facts about Carlos Sainz Jr.

  • He loves to eat, and some of his favorite foods are hamburgers and pizza.
  • He is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English.
  • He enjoys playing golf.
  • He doesn’t think of any other profession beyond being an F1 driver.
  • During his childhood and youth, he greatly admired Rafael Nadal, Michael Jordan, and Fernando Alonso.
  • He studied art history.
  • One of his favorite movies is “The Wolf of Wall Street”.
  • In an interview, he said he doesn’t have a specific type of woman he likes; he prefers them to be normal. In the same interview, he admitted to being bottom team.
  • He is a fan of Real Madrid.
  • His favorite character in Mario Kart is Yoshi.
  • He is known as Smooth Operator after a video of him singing this song during a competition was leaked.
  • He is a big fan of the American director, Quentin Tarantino.
  • His racing helmet always features the flag of Spain and the Virgin of Pilar.
  • His favorite number is 5.
  • He somewhat identifies with meerkats.
  • He’s not a big fan of spicy food.
  • His favorite burger preparation includes bacon, cheese, caramelized onions, and lettuce.
  • He has a dog named Piñón.
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