What Happened to Carlos Sainz Jr.?
Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Spanish Formula 1 racing driver currently competing for Williams. After stints with Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and a successful four-year period at Ferrari where he secured four Grand Prix victories, he joined Williams in 2025. As of August 2026, Sainz is evaluating his future beyond his current contract with Williams, whose performance has declined under new regulations.
Quick Answer
Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Spanish Formula 1 driver who joined Williams in 2025 after a successful tenure at Ferrari, where he achieved four Grand Prix wins. As of August 2026, he is still with Williams, but the team is struggling under the new regulations, leading Sainz to openly evaluate his options for the 2027 season. Recent reports indicate a potential move to Audi for 2027 is now unlikely, shifting his focus to teams like Aston Martin.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Joins Red Bull Junior Team
Carlos Sainz Jr. officially joins the Red Bull Junior Team, marking a significant step in his junior motorsport career.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series Champion
Sainz wins the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship with DAMS, solidifying his reputation as a rising star and paving his way to Formula 1.
Formula 1 Debut with Toro Rosso
Carlos Sainz Jr. makes his Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix with Scuderia Toro Rosso, partnering Max Verstappen.
Moves to Renault Mid-Season
Sainz moves from Toro Rosso to the Renault Sport F1 Team for the final four races of the 2017 season, replacing Jolyon Palmer.
First F1 Podium with McLaren
Sainz achieves his maiden Formula 1 podium finish, securing third place at the Brazilian Grand Prix while driving for McLaren.
Joins Scuderia Ferrari
Carlos Sainz Jr. begins his tenure with Scuderia Ferrari, replacing Sebastian Vettel and partnering Charles Leclerc.
Maiden F1 Win and Pole Position
Sainz secures his first-ever Formula 1 pole position and Grand Prix victory at the British Grand Prix, driving for Ferrari.
Wins Singapore Grand Prix
Sainz takes his second career F1 victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, breaking Red Bull's winning streak in the 2023 season.
Ferrari Announces Hamilton Replacement
Ferrari announces that Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz Jr. for the 2025 season, confirming Sainz's departure from the team.
Wins Australian Grand Prix
After recovering from appendicitis surgery, Sainz wins the Australian Grand Prix, his third F1 victory and Ferrari's first 1-2 finish since 2022.
Wins Mexico City Grand Prix
Sainz secures his fourth career F1 victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix in his final season with Ferrari.
Joins Williams Racing
Carlos Sainz Jr. officially joins Williams Racing on a two-year contract, partnering Alexander Albon.
First Williams Podium in Azerbaijan
Sainz achieves his first podium with Williams, finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a significant moment for the team.
Evaluating 2027 Options Amidst Williams Struggles
As Williams struggles significantly under the 2026 regulations, Sainz publicly states he will evaluate his future during the summer break, with his contract expiring at the end of the year.
Audi Door Closes, Aston Martin Focus
Reports indicate that a potential move to Audi for 2027 is blocked by Nico Hülkenberg's likely contract extension, shifting Sainz's primary focus for a 2027 seat to Aston Martin, pending Fernando Alonso's decision.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro, widely known as Carlos Sainz Jr., was born on September 1, 1994, in Madrid, Spain, and is the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz Sr.. His motorsport journey began in karting, progressing through junior formulae and ultimately winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship in 2014, a significant step that paved his way to Formula 1.
Sainz made his Formula 1 debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso, partnering Max Verstappen. He spent three seasons with the Red Bull junior team before moving to Renault for the latter part of 2017 and the full 2018 season. A pivotal moment in his career came with his move to McLaren in 2019, where he secured his maiden F1 podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix, followed by another in 2020 at the Italian Grand Prix, establishing himself as a consistent midfield performer.
In 2021, Sainz joined Scuderia Ferrari, replacing Sebastian Vettel and partnering Charles Leclerc. His time at Ferrari marked a significant ascent, culminating in his first pole position and Grand Prix victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix. He added further wins at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix and the 2024 Australian and Mexico City Grands Prix. Despite his strong performances, Ferrari announced in early 2024 that Lewis Hamilton would replace him for the 2025 season, leading Sainz to seek a new challenge.
For the 2025 season, Sainz signed a two-year contract with Williams, aiming to be part of their long-term project under new regulations. His debut season with Williams was promising, securing two podium finishes at the Azerbaijan and Qatar Grands Prix and helping the team to a strong fifth place in the Constructors' Championship. However, the 2026 season has proven challenging for Williams, with the team struggling significantly under the new technical regulations and falling back in the pecking order.
As of August 2026, Carlos Sainz Jr. is actively evaluating his future beyond his current Williams contract, which expires at the end of the season. He has expressed frustration with Williams' lack of progress in 2026. While a move to Audi for 2027 was a strong possibility, recent reports suggest Nico Hülkenberg is in advanced discussions to extend his contract with Audi, potentially blocking Sainz's path. Consequently, Sainz's focus has reportedly shifted towards Aston Martin for 2027, contingent on Fernando Alonso's decision regarding his own future.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Carlos Sainz Jr. made different choices?