#55 · Williams
Carlos Sainz
Son of two-time WRC champion Carlos Sainz Sr. Drove for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari (2021–2024), and is now Williams's lead driver in the team's long rebuild.
4
Race wins
27
Podiums
6
Pole positions
0
Championships
Why he matters
Sainz is the experienced, methodical, multi-team driver every team-in-rebuild wants. He spent four years at Ferrari, winning in Britain, Singapore, Australia, and Mexico — and was replaced when Hamilton signed. He turned down Audi and chose Williams under James Vowles, betting on the rebuild rather than the resources.
How he drives
Sainz is the modern definition of a complete driver. He’s not the fastest qualifier in the field, but he’s a 9/10 across qualifying, race pace, tyre management, wheel-to-wheel racing, and engineering feedback. Teams who hire Sainz hire a rolling development engineer.
Watch for
- His engineer-radio communication — Sainz delivers the cleanest, most useful information of any driver in the paddock; engineers love him.
- His Q3 laps when the car is unexpectedly competitive — he punches above weight on the surprise upgrade weeks.
- His relationship with teammate Alex Albon — both are Williams’s heart, and they’re teaching each other.