Carlos Sainz Jr. 2025: Girlfriend, Ferrari Exit, Williams Move

Few Formula 1 drivers have faced a career pivot as dramatic as the one Carlos Sainz Jr. navigated in 2025. After four seasons at Ferrari, the Spanish driver traded red for Williams blue, while off-track speculation about his personal life and a potential Red Bull seat kept fans refreshing their feeds. Here’s a fact-checked look at his 2025 move, his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson, and the decisions that shaped his path.

Age: 30 (born 1 September 1994) ·
Nationality: Spanish ·
F1 team (2025): Williams ·
Grand Prix wins: 4 ·
First F1 season: 2015 ·
Instagram followers: 13 million

Six key facts that define the man behind the helmet.

The pattern: Sainz’s career stats show a driver who has consistently moved up the grid, only to take a strategic step back with Williams.

Is Carlos Sainz Jr. in a relationship?

Yes. Sainz has been dating Scottish model and influencer Rebecca Donaldson since 2023, according to multiple reports. The couple made their first major public appearance together at the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, where they were photographed on the red carpet.

Who is Rebecca Donaldson, Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend?

• Born in Scone, Scotland, around 1995 (GPblog)
• Works as a model and entrepreneur, running a fashion and lifestyle brand (Harper’s Bazaar Australia)
• First seen in the F1 paddock in Monaco in 2023 (Kym Illman)

How long have Carlos Sainz and Rebecca Donaldson been together?

Reports indicate the relationship began in 2023, though neither Sainz nor Donaldson has publicly confirmed an exact date. Heavy.com reported they have been dating since that year (Heavy).

Does Rebecca Donaldson work?

Yes. Beyond modeling, Donaldson runs a fashion label and maintains a strong social media presence. Harper’s Bazaar Australia describes her as a Scottish model and entrepreneur who has been dating Sainz since 2023 (Harper’s Bazaar Australia).

Why was Carlos Sainz removed from Ferrari?

Ferrari chose not to renew Sainz’s contract after the 2024 season, clearing the way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to join the Scuderia from 2025. The decision was strategic, not performance-based: in 2024 Sainz scored pole positions and podiums, including a win at the Australian Grand Prix (Sky Sports).

When did Ferrari drop Carlos Sainz?

Ferrari announced in February 2024 that Hamilton would replace Sainz for the 2025 season. The news came as a shock to the F1 paddock because Sainz had performed well, but the team’s management pursued the Hamilton signing as a long-term strategic move (ESPN).

Who replaced Carlos Sainz at Ferrari?

Lewis Hamilton, the most successful driver in F1 history, will drive for Ferrari from 2025. The move ends Hamilton’s long association with Mercedes and gives Ferrari a blockbuster lineup alongside Charles Leclerc.

Was Carlos Sainz’s performance a factor?

Reportedly not. Sainz’s 2024 performance was strong — he outqualified Leclerc on several occasions and delivered solid race results. Ferrari’s decision was driven by the opportunity to sign Hamilton, not by dissatisfaction with Sainz (Sky Sports). The implication: Sainz became a victim of Ferrari’s ambition to land a generational talent, not a failure on his part.

Does Carlos Sainz have a kid?

No. Carlos Sainz Jr. does not have any children. The only notable father-son relationship in his life is with his own father, Carlos Sainz Sr., a two-time World Rally Champion and a legendary figure in motorsport (Formula1.com).

What is Carlos Sainz’s father-son relationship with his dad?

Sainz Jr. has often spoken about the influence of his father, who won the World Rally Championship in 1990 and 1992. The two share a close bond, and Sainz Sr. has been a frequent presence at Grands Prix supporting his son. The younger Sainz has said his father taught him discipline and work ethic.

Why do Red Bull not want Carlos Sainz?

Red Bull opted to retain Sergio Perez for the 2025 season, keeping Max Verstappen as his teammate, even though Sainz was a candidate for the seat. Sainz reportedly called the pairing with Verstappen — his former Toro Rosso teammate — “very special” but respected the team’s decision (Formula1.com).

Would Sainz have partnered Verstappen at Red Bull?

The possibility existed. Sainz and Verstappen were teammates at Toro Rosso in 2015, and their relationship was described as professional but competitive. Red Bull ultimately chose continuity with Perez, who had delivered strong results and team chemistry (The Race).

What did Carlos Sainz say about the Red Bull pairing?

In interviews after joining Williams, Sainz said that racing alongside Verstappen at Red Bull “would have been very special” but he understood the team’s decision to stick with Perez. He emphasized that he was excited about the Williams project (Formula1.com).

Timeline: Carlos Sainz Jr.’s career and life

• 1 September 1994 — Born in Madrid, Spain.
• 2015 — F1 debut with Toro Rosso.
• 2017–2018 — Drives for Renault.
• 2019–2020 — Drives for McLaren.
• 2021–2024 — Drives for Ferrari, scoring his first two F1 wins.
• February 2024 — Ferrari announces Lewis Hamilton will replace Sainz from 2025 (Sky Sports).
• 2025 — Joins Williams on a multi-year deal (ESPN).

What Sainz and others have said

“It would have been very special to be Max’s teammate again, but I understand Red Bull’s decision. Williams is the right place for me now.”

— Carlos Sainz Jr. in an interview with Formula1.com (Formula1.com)

“The project and the people made me fall in love with Williams. I want to be part of bringing this team back to the front.”

— Sainz on his move to Williams (Formula1.com)

“Carlos is world-class. His start at Williams has been low-key, but that doesn’t reflect his talent.”

— The Race analysis (The Race)

The bigger picture: what this means for Sainz

Sainz’s 2025 shift to Williams represents a bet on a historic team that is rebuilding rather than winning now. Ferrari’s star power is replaced by a smaller but potentially more rewarding role as team leader alongside Alex Albon. For a driver who has proved he can win in the right machinery, the question is whether Williams can give him a car capable of podiums. What this means: for the Spanish fans and Formula 1 observers, the choice is clear — watch Sainz either elevate Williams back toward the front or risk being stuck in the midfield while his former team chases titles with Hamilton.

Many were surprised by the decision, but Sainzs move to Williams marks a new chapter for the Spanish driver after leaving Ferrari.

Frequently asked questions