Born into one of Spain’s most famous racing dynasties as the son and namesake of Carlos Sainz – a two-time World Rally Champion, it was perhaps inevitable that Sainz Jr. would follow in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in motorsport.
Inspired by the success of his countryman – and future F1 rival – Fernando Alonso, Sainz chose to pursue success in single-seaters over rallying, quickly gaining recognition beyond his revered name with a string of karting and junior formula accolades.
Sainz joined the Red Bull Junior Driver programme at the age of 16 in 2010, and made steady progress through the open-wheel ranks with stints in Formula BMW, Formula Renault, and the European F3 Open before mounting a modestly successful dual-campaign in both the F3 Euro Series and the British F3 Championship in 2012.
Carlos Sainz brings with him the determination that has earned him two World Rally Championship titles and three Dakar Rally victories.
What happened to Carlos Sainz?
Carlos Sainz has officially announced his departure from Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
Sainz’s heartfelt statement to fans emphasizes his dedication to the team for the rest of the season, while also hinting at future career opportunities.
The Formula One community has been stunned by the recent announcement that Lewis Hamilton will wear Ferrari’s iconic red in 2025, partnering with Charles Leclerc in what promises to be a formidable lineup.
Leclerc signed an extension “beyond” the 2024 season, revealing that his new contract would run for “several more seasons to come,” with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting a five-year contract through 2029 with a 2025 salary of €25 million that will increase to €50 million in the final year.
As the song goes, ‘Nice work if you can get it, and if you do, do not tell me how’. Do not be surprised if you catch Sainz humming the George Gershwin song to his teammate during Ferrari’s February 13 launch.
Meanwhile, Sainz, who has demonstrated exceptional skill and competitiveness during his time with Ferrari, will undoubtedly be an asset wherever he chooses to pursue his racing career.
As the 2024 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sainz to see how he concludes his Ferrari journey and what steps he will take next in his career.
Similarly, there is growing excitement about Hamilton’s integration into Ferrari and how this new partnership will shape the future of Formula 1.
Where did Carlos Sainz go?
After following in his famous father’s footsteps, Sainz has had big racing shoes to fill—first at McLaren, where he replaced his childhood hero Fernando Alonso, and now at Ferrari, where he replaces Sebastian Vettel.
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