Oscar Piastri Biography

Oscar Jack Piastri (April 6, 2001) is a Formula 1 driver born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He has garnered recognition as one of the youngest drivers on the Formula 1 grid, and he is affectionately nicknamed “The Prodigy Kid”.

Early years

Oscar Piastri is an Australian Formula 1 driver. He is the son of Chris Piastri and Nicole Piastri, of Italian origin.

From a young age, the little Piastri showed his interest in cars. In fact, his favorite bedtime stories were about “Cars”. His parents began to notice his fascination with engines and decided to support him in this.

At the age of six, he started becoming a remote-controlled car enthusiast. So much so that he participated in national remote-controlled car competitions.

Photo: @oscarpiastri (vía Instagram)

Beginnings: Karting, Formula 4, Formula 3, and Formula 2

Oscar Piastri started in karting, standing out from a young age. He won several national championships in Australia. Later, his family moved to England to support his career. In 2016, he transitioned to single-seater Formula 4 racing in the United Arab Emirates, achieving multiple podium finishes. In 2017, in the British Formula 4 championship, he secured six victories and finished as the runner-up behind Jamie Caroline and ahead of Logan Sargeant.

In 2018, Oscar Piastri entered Formula Renault 2.0, earning three podiums in his debut season. The following year, he competed again in the same category and clinched the championship title.

However, it was in the 2020 season when his talent truly shone. Taking part in the thrilling FIA Formula 3 Championship, he showcased exceptional performance that led him to clinch the title. His ability to maintain consistency, speed, and tackle challenges on the track stood out and captured the attention of the motorsport world. In an exciting season finale, he secured the championship with just two victories.

In early 2021, Alpine made the decision to include Piastri in their academy, providing him with a significant opportunity to benefit from the extensive testing program designed for Fernando Alonso’s return to Formula 1. In the same season, Oscar Piastri moved up to Formula 2, where he joined the Prema Racing team.

His performance in Formula 2 was outstanding, securing six victories and showcasing even greater mastery than in Formula 3. With a remarkable display, Piastri clinched the championship in this category.

His Move to Formula 1

Following his triumph in Formula 2, regulations do not allow him to continue in the same category after his victory, and with no available seat in Formula 1, Oscar accepts the role of a reserve driver at the Alpine team. However, a promising opportunity arises as McLaren and Alpine reach an agreement for Piastri to take on the role of a reserve driver within the British racing team.

Alpine had plans for an agreement with Williams for Piastri to make his debut as a full-time Formula 1 driver in 2023. However, the unexpected move of Fernando Alonso to Aston Martin altered the situation, and Alpine confirmed him as a regular driver for that season. Surprisingly, Oscar Piastri turned down this offer in a critical message towards Alpine that no one anticipated.

“I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year”.

Formula 1

McLaren: 2023-Present

Piastri successfully reached a direct agreement with the McLaren team, with whom he had already carried out prior simulation tasks. In this way, Oscar would join Lando Norris at the McLaren team for the 2023 season. However, unfortunate legal complications arose due to the dispute between McLaren and Alpine.

Ultimately, a court validated Piastri’s contract with McLaren over Alpine’s. While the French team did not achieve the outcome they were hoping for, they sought financial compensation for the investment they had made in the development of the young Australian driver.

Oscar Piastri made his debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he started strongly in the eighth position. Unfortunately, he retired on the fourteenth lap due to a steering wheel issue that prevented his car from restarting.

So far this season, Piastri has had a notable performance by finishing fifth in the Hungarian Grand Prix. He began from the fourth position and even reached second place before the first pit stops.

At the Belgian Grand Prix, his performance continued to impress as he secured the second position in qualifying for the sprint race, trailing just 0.011 seconds behind polesitter Max Verstappen. This marked his best starting position up to that point. During the sprint, he showcased his prowess by overtaking Max Verstappen in the pits and leading a Formula 1 race for the first time in his career. Despite his brilliant start in Belgium, his luck took a drastic turn in the fourth lap when a spin by Fernando Alonso triggered a safety car, allowing Verstappen to pass him on the Kemmel Straight. Despite this setback, Piastri demonstrated his potential and skill in Formula 1.

During the Belgian GP, Piastri was involved in a collision with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, leading to both of them being knocked out of the race. In post-race interviews and statements, Sainz attributed the mistake to the Australian, labeling it as optimistic and inexperienced.

McLaren: Piastri’s Teammates

Teammates that Oscar Piastri had at McLaren during his Formula 1 career with the team:

• Lando Norris (2023-Present): Oscar joined to replace Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren due to his underperformance. Since his arrival, the driver has established a strong working chemistry with Lando.

Oscar Piastri: 2023 season

In the thrilling ongoing 2023 Formula 1 season, the talented Australian driver Oscar Piastri currently holds the eleventh position with 34 points, having secured 0 wins and achieved 0 podiums. The leaders of this season so far are Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, and Fernando Alonso, who have showcased their skills on the track and occupy the top positions in the championship.

Photo: @oscarpiastri (vía Instagram)

Personal life

The driver is very private about his personal and intimate life. Since 2022, he has been romantically linked with Lily Zneimer. They have been seen together at various events, enjoying their relationship and appearing happy. Oscar Piastri seems to enjoy keeping his love life private.

Facts about Oscar Piastri

• His racing number is 81.
• His parents are of Italian descent.
• He stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall.
• He has sisters, but more information about them is unknown.
• He started in Karting at the age of 9.

Charles Leclerc Biography

Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc (October 16, 1997), better known as Charles Leclerc, is a Formula 1 driver hailing from Monte Carlo, Monaco. He is an automotive prodigy who dominates the track with his dazzling talent. With an innate skill, Leclerc has left an indelible mark on Formula 1.

Early years

Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc, known as Charles Leclerc, was born in Monaco. He is the second child of Hervé and Pascale Leclerc. His father was a racing driver in his youth and the founder of the French automotive parts manufacturer Mecaplast, while his mother is a hairdresser and owner of a beauty salon located in the Principality of Monaco. He has two brothers: Lorenzo, the eldest, holds a degree in administration and business, and Arthur, the youngest, is currently a Formula 2 driver.

He studied at Lycée Albert 1er in Monaco, where he completed his secondary education.

Leclerc’s father, who had experience up to Formula 3, played a fundamental role in his motivation and in instilling his passion for motorsport. As a result, Charles’s first steps in the world of racing took place at Philippe Bianchi’s track, a French friend of his father, located in Brignoles, a town between Nice and Marseille. Philippe is the father of Jules Bianchi, a driver who was eight years older than the young Leclerc, and they established a strong friendship.

Photo: @charles_leclerc (vía Instagram)

Beginnings: Karting, Formula Renault 2.0, Formula 3 and Formula 2

Charles Leclerc started his career in karting at the age of 8 and quickly excelled in the sport. He won multiple championships in Monaco and abroad, establishing his reputation as a young promise in motorsport.

By mid-2010, Hervé realized that he didn’t have enough money for his son to finish the karting season. At that moment, Charles received support from his close friend, Jules Bianchi, who reached out to his manager, Nicolas Todt, the director of All Road Management, a company that represents drivers. Nicolas Todt provided assistance to help Charles Leclerc move forward in his racing career.

In 2011, he became the karting world champion in the KF3 category. Leclerc has also competed in other categories, such as KF2, where he achieved significant victories. His talent in karting caught the attention of the motorsport industry, and he became a member of the ARM company.

Charles Leclerc began his single-seater career in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps Championship with the Fortec Motorsports team in 2014. In that season, he secured seven podium finishes, including a double victory in Monza, which allowed him to finish second in the championship. Additionally, he won the Best Rookie award in the last race of the season in Jerez. Charles also participated in some races of the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup as a guest driver with Fortec Motorsports, obtaining three second-place podiums at Nürburgring and two second places at Hungaroring.

In 2015, Charles Leclerc took his first steps in Formula 3, competing in the European Formula 3 Championship. He had an excellent start to the season, securing a victory and two podiums in the opening round at Silverstone, followed by another win at Hockenheimring. Although the results were not as remarkable in the following races, Leclerc won the Rookie Championship title in that championship.

In the last month of 2015, Charles Leclerc had the opportunity to participate in evaluation tests with the ART Grand Prix and Arden International teams. The following year, in February 2016, his entry as a driver for the season was confirmed. ART Grand Prix placed their bet on him, and at the end of the competition, Leclerc was crowned champion after securing three victories and surpassing the second-placed driver, Alexander Albon, with a comfortable 25-point lead.

In March 2016, it was announced that Charles Leclerc would join the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy as one of their two drivers. His skill and determination caught the attention of Ferrari, one of the most iconic Formula 1 teams, signing him for their young driver program. Additionally, he was given the role of development driver for both Haas F1 Team and Scuderia Ferrari. As part of his position as a third driver, Leclerc had the opportunity to participate in practice sessions for four Grand Prix races throughout the season.

For 2017, Charles Leclerc competed in the Formula 2 Championship with the Prema team. He won two of the first four races but faced difficulties at the Monaco round. However, he secured victories in Baku, Spielberg, and Silverstone. In October, he clinched the championship by winning the 19th race of the season, adding up to a total of six wins, with three races still to go.

Formula 1

Sauber: 2018

Leclerc was promoted to Formula 1 in 2018 as a driver for Sauber, currently known as Alfa Romeo. During his rookie season, he impressed everyone with his speed and driving skills, achieving notable results and outperforming his teammate on several occasions.

Charles Leclerc had an impressive start to the season, matching his teammate Marcus Ericsson’s points tally in just 8 races, despite Ericsson having competed in 83 races previously. His standout performances, such as reaching Q3 and qualifying in eighth place in France, as well as his sixth-place finish in Azerbaijan, sparked rumors of a potential move to Scuderia Ferrari. Furthermore, at the Red Bull Ring, Leclerc contributed to Sauber securing a notable result with both drivers in the points, something that had not happened since early 2015.

Sauber: Leclerc’s Teammates

The teammates that Charles Leclerc had at Sauber during his Formula 1 career with this team were as follows:

• Marcus Ericsson (2018): Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut in the 2018 season alongside Marcus Ericsson as his teammate at Sauber.

Scuderia Ferrari: 2019-Present

In 2019, Charles Leclerc fulfilled his dream by joining the main team of Ferrari in Formula 1. Although he had an adaptation period in his first year, he proved his worth with impressive performances, including his first victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. His aggressive driving style and ability to handle pressure made him one of the most exciting and promising drivers on the grid.

Since his arrival at Ferrari, Leclerc has made a mark. In 2020, despite the challenges of the less competitive Ferrari, he secured a second place in Austria and continued to add podium finishes throughout the season. In 2021, he started a new chapter with Carlos Sainz as his teammate, achieving pole positions in Monaco and Baku, and securing his first Grand Chelem at the 2022 Australian GP.

Leclerc’s talent and determination were once again evident in 2023 when he secured pole position at the Azerbaijan GP in the thrilling new race format. His trajectory at Ferrari has been a constant ascent, establishing himself as one of the brightest stars in Formula 1.

In 2023, Ferrari’s drivers have faced setbacks with the team and technicians, which has negatively impacted the performance of Leclerc and Sainz Jr. Recently, the team has shown deficiencies in managing various situations. An example of this occurred during the qualifying session for the Canadian Grand Prix when Charles requested a tire change during his pit stop. However, the Ferrari team denied his request, citing that Max Verstappen, a driver from Red Bull Racing, had not done so yet. As a result, Leclerc missed out on the starting grid. However, due to a penalty imposed on his teammate Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc managed to advance to the tenth position, securing a place within the top ten.

Ferrari: Leclerc’s Teammates

The teammates that Charles Leclerc had at Ferrari during his Formula 1 career with this team were as follows:

• Sebastian Vettel (2019-2020): Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel were teammates at Ferrari for two seasons. During this time, there were moments of close competition and rivalry between the two drivers.
• Carlos Sainz Jr. (2021-Present): Leclerc shared the team with Spanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr. at Ferrari. Both drivers have formed a young and talented duo during this period, becoming fan favorites both on and off the circuits.

Charles Leclerc: 2023 season

In the thrilling ongoing 2023 Formula 1 season, the talented Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc currently holds the seventh position with 80 points, having achieved 0 wins and secured 2 podiums. The leaders of this season so far are Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, and Fernando Alonso, who have showcased their skill on the track and are occupying the top positions in the championship.

Photo: @charles_leclerc (vía Instagram)

Personal life

Charles Leclerc, the talented Formula 1 driver, has had romantic relationships that have captured the attention of the media and followers. For three years, he was in a relationship with the Monegasque model and influencer, Charlotte Siné. However, in December 2022, both celebrities publicly announced the end of their romance through a statement shared on social media.

Before his relationship with Charlotte, Leclerc had a girlfriend named Giana Gianni, affectionately known as Gigi. Their relationship lasted for about four years but came to an end in September 2019. According to what Gigi shared on her social media, the breakup was due to Charles wanting to focus on his professional career. Interestingly, just a month later, the driver was already in a new relationship and publicly displaying it on social media.

The surprising part is that Leclerc’s new girlfriend turned out to be none other than Charlotte Siné, who shockingly happened to be one of Gigi’s best friends.

2023: New Relationship

Charles Leclerc is currently in a relationship with Alexandra Saint-Mleux. The official confirmation of their romance took place in May 2023, although there had been speculation about their bond for several months before, as they had been seen together on various occasions, including during Paris Fashion Week.

Alexandra Saint-Mleux is nearly five years younger than Leclerc. She is a student of Art History in Paris, France.

Father of Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has faced challenges both on and off the circuits. Unfortunately, in June 2017, his father lost his life after bravely battling cancer. This tragic loss has left a deep impact on Leclerc’s life.

During his stay in Monaco for the Grand Prix, as an emotional tribute to his father, Charles and his family took a photo alongside the helmet his father used to wear. It’s important to note that his father was his biggest supporter and a crucial pillar in his racing career. Despite his absence, Hervé couldn’t witness his son’s debut or see him become a part of Formula 1.

Photo: @charles_leclerc (vía Instagram)

Tragedies: Deaths of Loved Ones.

• The Passing of Jules Bianchi: One of the most impactful tragedies in Leclerc’s career was the death of his friend and mentor, Jules Bianchi. Bianchi, also a Formula 1 driver, suffered a serious accident during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and remained in a coma for nine months before passing away in July 2015. Bianchi’s loss was a devastating blow to Leclerc, who saw Jules as an older brother and a source of inspiration in his career.
• The Passing of His Father: In June 2017, Charles Leclerc experienced another tragic loss with the passing of his father, Hervé Leclerc. Hervé had been a pivotal figure in supporting and nurturing Charles’ racing career, and his sudden death deeply affected the Monegasque driver.
• Fatal Accident of Anthoine Hubert: During the Formula 2 race at Spa-Francorchamps in August 2019, a serious accident occurred involving several drivers, including Anthoine Hubert. Sadly, Hubert lost his life in the incident. Leclerc, who had been a teammate of Hubert in the lower categories, was deeply affected by the loss of his friend and rival.

Filmography

Charles Leclerc has appeared in several visual works, including:

• “Lightyear” (2022): Charles Leclerc provided his voice for the Italian dubbing, for a cameo in the “Toy Story” spin-off, “Lightyear”. He portrays one of the two guards sent to take away Sox the cat. In the Spanish (Spain) dubbing, the same character was covered by Carlos Sainz.
• “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” (2023): This series covers various aspects of Formula 1, both on and off the track. It follows Charles Leclerc’s journey from his time at Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) to his current involvement with Scuderia Ferrari. In addition to Leclerc, the series delves into all the drivers, their teams, and the racing stables in depth.

Discography

Musical works in which Charles Leclerc has participated:

Singles

• “AUS23 (1:1)” (2023).
• “MIA23 (1:2)” (2023).

Facts about Charles Leclerc

• His racing number is 16.
• He is the second-youngest driver to debut with Scuderia Ferrari.
• His favorite food is tortellini pasta.
• He enjoys playing paddle tennis.
• His nickname Lord Perceval was given to him by his Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz Jr., who considered the name suited him well.
• He is a music enthusiast.
• He plays the piano and has released his own songs.
• One of his inspirations in F1 was Ayrton Senna.
• One of his favorite TV series is “La Casa de Papel”.
• During the pandemic, he streamed on Twitch with several other drivers, including Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, and George Russell.
• He speaks Italian, French, English, and some Spanish.
• There is an iconic video of an interview from his youth where Charles pronounces the phrase “Nothing, just an incident on the race” in a peculiar way. This famous moment occurred after an incident on the track with Max Verstappen. Leclerc’s unique gestures and pronunciation caught everyone’s attention, leading to its viral spread.
• In Italy, his Richard Mille watch, valued at $325,000, was stolen. Charles Leclerc chased the thieves across Italy in his Ferrari.

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.

Niki Lauda Biography

Nikolaus Andreas Lauda (February 22, 1949 – May 20, 2019), better known as Niki Lauda, was born in Vienna, Austria. He was an Austrian motorsport driver famous for winning the Formula 1 World Championship three times (in 1975, 1977, and 1984) while driving for the Ferrari and McLaren teams. He started as a pilot at the end of the 1960s and shortly thereafter made his debut as a Formula 3 racer (1970). He started in Formula 1 under the shield of March in 1971 and four years later got his first big win as a Ferrari racer. Having achieved his first two titles in the seventies, Lauda left Ferrari to join the McLaren team, with which he won his last title in 1984. Known for his precision and great talent, Lauda left the tracks in 1985. Since then he concentrated completely on his role as an entrepreneur while owning the airline Nikki.

FAMILY AND BEGINNINGS

Born into a wealthy family, Lauda had Elisabeth and Ernst-Peter Lauda as parents. He received a careful education oriented to the business world. However, he decided to abandon this path to devote himself completely to the world of automobile competitions at the end of the 1960s, contrary to the will of his parents, who hoped that Lauda was a man of business. He began to participate in car races in 1968 and two years entered the world of Formula 3 (1970). Demonstrating his great talent and dexterity, Lauda became a Formula 2 racer in just one year. In 1971, he made his debut as a Formula 1 racer under the team of March Engineering, a team created in the late sixties by Alan Rees Graham Coaker, Robin Herd, and Max Mosley.

CAREER AS A DRIVER

After his debut with the team March in 1971, Niki Lauda was known in the circuits of that year and 1972 for his skill and accuracy on the tracks. However, did not get any title. In 1973, he joined the official team of BRM, a team where he remained for a short time, since, in 1974, he was hired by Ferrari, thanks to the good references that also gave the pilot Clay Regazzoni, to the team in which he worked at that time. Starting his adventure with Ferrari, Lauda managed to make his first triumphs on the tracks, getting that same year the Awards of Spain and Holland. His expertise at the wheel, allowed him to make his way to the world and get his first title of world champion in Formula 1 in 1975.

After the successful 1975 season, Lauda managed to excel in the season towards the 1976 title, winning in four of the six races, however, his path was hampered when he suffered a major accident at the German Grand Prix. In this competition, the runner lost control of the car in a curve, which caused the car to crash with the protection fence and caught fire a few seconds later in the middle of the track. After the explosion, another car collided with this causing the sinister out of proportion, shortly after this, Lauda managed to leave with some injuries on his face and limbs. He was in recovery for a month and a half and returned to the tracks months before the competitions were over.

After coming back into the competitions, Lauda obtained several triumphs that took to him to stand out in the general classification, nevertheless, lost the title before James Hunt by a point. The singular duel of these two competitors during the season of ’96 became the source of inspiration for Ron Howard’s film, Rush (2013). In 1977, Niki Lauda won his second Formula 1 title, winning the Grand Prix of Germany, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Having deteriorated his relationship with the Ferrari team since 1976, Lauda decided to leave the team to join the Brabham-Alfa Romeo team in 1978. He remained in this with a less competitive vehicle until 1979, year in which, tired of the bad results, he decided to get away from the tracks to devote himself completely to his first project as an entrepreneur, the newly created airline Lauda Air (1979 -2000). After being away from the tracks for two years, Lauda returned in 1982 as a member of the official McLaren team.

Two years after joining McLaren, Niki Lauda got his last title of champion by facing his teammate, Alain Prost. After announcing his definitive retirement in 1985, Lauda dedicated himself completely to his business as an entrepreneur, being then the owner of the low-cost airline Niki, which he had consolidated thanks to the alliance he had with Air Berlin. Although he did not return to the tracks, Lauda stayed tied to the Formula 1 until his death, he worked as a commentator and even got to be hired as a counselor of Ferrari, a company with which he worked for several years.

As an adviser of the team, Lauda impulse the signing of Michael Schumacher, a pilot that would give numerous titles to the team in the course of the first years of the new millennium. Beginning in the 2000s, he worked for Jaguar and a few years later joined the commentary team of RTL (2010). During his last years of life, he was the technical advisor and partner of Mercedes. This outstanding Austrian pilot and businessman, died on May 20, 2019, in Vienna, Austria, after suffering several health complications, linked to his advanced age.

Michael Schumacher biography

Michael Schumacher (January 3, 1969), Formula 1 driver. Born in Hürth-Hermülheim, Germany. His family was not well off, his mother Elisabeth and his father Rolf Schumacher, who worked as a bricklayer. His father with his great skill and his great passion for cars, he modified his son Michael his pedal kart by adding a small motorcycle motor. After seeing his love for riding, his parents scored him in a karting club in Kerpen-Horrem, where he became the youngest member. Surprisingly at age six, he won his first club championship in the region. Despite the harsh situation, the love and support of his parents were such that his mother entered as a waitress in a bar on the track of the club and Rolf took a second job.

The efforts were rewarded, Michael was one of the best of the club, for that reason, he was champion in the junior category of karts. Encouraged by this, he decided to compete in the world championship of this modality, he won the silver medal. After that, in his youth, he participated and won several victories in Formula Konig, Formula Ford and Formula 3 before going on to compete in Formula 1. In 1991, he made his debut in Belgium, he was seventh in a circuit of great complexity. Not a month passed when he got the fifth place in the Grand Prix of Monza carried out in Italy. He entered as a driver of the Benetton team, participated in the drivers’ championship, was third in 1991 and fourth in 1992 in Belgium and Portugal, respectively.

It would not be long until he managed to enter the Formula 1 competition and the following year proclaimed himself world champion of Formula 1 in 1994; year in which he maintained a remarkable and tough competition with Briton Damon Hill, but managed to beat them by repeating this triumph in 1995. This same year he married Corinna, from that union, were born two children: Gina-Maria and Mick.

The Ferrari team, after seeing their 19 victories since they stepped on the Formula 1, made the proposal to integrate their team in 1996. In the first season with them, was third in the final classification of drivers after winning the Grand Prix from Spain, Belgium, and Italy. Due to his good performance, Michael agreed to renew his contract with Ferrari until 2002. After the first year of renewal, he suffered a serious accident on the track at Silverstone, where he feared for his life. Fortunately, the young man recovered. The team was concerned that his performance was not the same for his long absence, but it was a surprise since in 2000 he won the first three GPs.

In 2002, Michael Schumacher was proclaimed champion of the world of Formula 1, after dominating the race in the Grand Prix of France. In just one year, on October 12, 2003, it was proclaimed world champion of Formula 1 again, it would be the fourth championship won consecutively, after its classification in the eighth position in the Grand Prix of Japan. In a short time mathematically secured the seventh world title of Formula 1, finishing in second place at Spa-Francorchamps, Grand Prix of Belgium. The success of the youngster was devastating, generating its appearance in sports channels and the sports press.

When he was 37 years and 16 seasons in Formula 1 on his shoulders, he announced his retirement from the competition in 2006. But at four years decided to resume this time with the Mercedes GP team directed by Ross Brawn. But it did not last long, it was three seasons, on October 4, 2012, expressed to the media that it would end his sports career. Since he regained his best result was a third place, reached in the Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia, in addition to the pole he achieved in Monaco, although he was withdrawn by taking a penalty of five positions of the previous race. His level was not the same, he had 13 losses.

Despite this, Michael Schumacher did not stop being admired as one of the greatest athletes in Germany and the world, therefore, on September 5, 2007, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports for his sports career. In the history of Formula 1, he was the most successful driver, and also the most sanctioned. Schumacher was in 312 races, was world champion seven times in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In addition, he won 91 victories throughout his career and 69 poles. His last victory was at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix and his last race was at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

On December 29, 2013, it was a day of commotion for Formula 1, Michael Schumacher suffered a serious accident while skiing in the French Alps, specifically, off-piste in the alpine resort of Méribel, where he lived in a private residence. This accident caused him a severe head injury, which caused him to go into a coma, he was immediately operated on in the neurosurgery section. He was in a coma for six months, until June 16, 2014, resumed his brain activities. Subsequently, he left the Grenoble hospital to be rehabilitated at the University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne. On September 9, 2014, he was able to return home where he continued under medical treatment and rehabilitation.