Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Spanish Formula 1 racing driver and the son of two-time World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz Sr. Born in Madrid, Spain, the younger Sainz grew up immersed in motorsport and quickly demonstrated his own racing talent. He progressed through karting and junior single-seater categories, winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship in 2014, which cemented his path to Formula 1.

Sainz made his F1 debut in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso alongside Max Verstappen. Over the following years, he proved himself as a consistent and intelligent racer, earning moves to Renault in late 2017 and then to McLaren for 2019-2020. His time at McLaren was particularly impressive, as he finished sixth in the 2019 championship and scored his maiden podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. His strong performances earned him a coveted seat at Scuderia Ferrari for 2021.

At Ferrari, Sainz established himself as a genuine front-runner. He finished fifth in his debut season with the team in 2021, then earned his first Formula 1 victory at the 2022 British Grand Prix. He continued to be a consistent podium contender and scored additional victories, including a memorable win at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix shortly after recovering from appendicitis surgery. His ability to extract maximum performance from his car and his racecraft in wheel-to-wheel battles made him one of the most respected drivers on the grid.

For 2025, Sainz moved to Williams Racing on a multi-year deal after Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton. Despite joining a less competitive team, Sainz’s contract is reported to be worth approximately $10 million per year, reflecting his market value. Combined with endorsement deals from brands like Estrella Galicia, Caixa Bank, and various Spanish sponsors, his estimated net worth stands at $15 million. At just 31, Sainz continues to build both his racing legacy and his financial portfolio.