iGR//F1//Drivers//Carlos Sainz Jr
WILLIAMS // CAR #55 // ESP

CARLOS
SAINZ
car 55

Williams new signing. Sainz brings four Grand Prix wins and a decade of front running experience to Grove as Williams rebuild.

Titles
0
Race wins
4
Podiums
27
Poles
6
MADRID

The winner who bet on a rebuild.

By the iGR Paddock desk · Reviewed 03/06/2026 · Data via Formula 1, jolpica-f1 and OpenF1

Carlos Sainz gave up a Ferrari seat to join a team that finished near the back. He did it on purpose.

Sainz is the son of a two-time world rally champion, so racing is in his blood. He worked his way up through Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren, building a name as a clever, consistent racer. At Ferrari from 2021 he became a multiple Grand Prix winner, including an emotional victory in Singapore in 2023 that ended Red Bull's win streak that year.

When Ferrari signed Hamilton, Sainz lost his seat. Instead of chasing another top team, he joined Williams, betting on James Vowles' long rebuild. It is a gamble on the future. He brings race-winning know-how to a team trying to climb, lining up next to Alex Albon as Williams pushes back toward the midfield and beyond.

For the fans

Sainz is the steady hand with real wins on his record. His choice to join Williams shows belief in a project, which fans of an underdog love to back.

Punter's angle

At Williams, Sainz is a midfield bet, not a podium banker. His value is in points-finish and beat-teammate markets against Albon, a tough yardstick. On a strong track for the car, a small each-way flutter on a surprise result suits his racecraft.

Read nextThe Williams story  /  Alex Albon

02 / 04 // FACTS

The file.

Born
01/09/1994Madrid, ES
Nationality
Spain
Career starts
216
Fastest laps
4
03 / 04 // TEAM

In the car.

6 Williams Racing badge
Williams RacingMercedes · founded 1977 · Grove
118PTS

Open full Williams team profile →

BIOGRAPHY

In their own words.

Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro (born 1 September 1994) is a Spanish racing driver, who is contracted to compete in Formula One for Williams. Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro known as Carlos Sainz Jr Carlos Sainz, (born 1 September 1994) is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and the son of former double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz. In 2012 Sainz raced in the British and European Formula 3 championships for Carlin. He raced for DAMS in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2014 winning the championship before moving to F1 with Toro Rosso. In 2017 it was announced that for the 2018 season he will race for the Renault F1 team on a season long loan, whilst still contracted to Red Bull Racing. An early fulfilment of this arrangement was announced during the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix weekend; Sainz would take Jolyon Palmer's Renault seat beginning with the 2017 United States Grand Prix. On 16 August 2018, it was announced that Sainz will be racing for McLaren from 2019, replacing Fernando Alonso, who is retiring from Formula One at the end of 2018.
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CAREER

Career trail.

// Honours and titles

1 honour

From the SportsDB honours record. Junior and senior categories combined.

2014
World Series Formula V8 3.5Toro Rosso
CHAMPION
// Former teams

3 teams

Career path before the current seat.

2015
Toro RossoLeft 2017
FORMER
2017
Renault Sport Formula OneLeft 2018
FORMER
2019
McLarenLeft 2020
FORMER
FAQ

Quick questions.

How old is Carlos Sainz Jr?

32 years old. Born 01/09/1994 in Madrid, ES.

How many F1 wins does Sainz have?

4 race wins across 216 career starts, with 27 podium finishes and 6 pole positions.

What team does Sainz drive for?

Williams Racing. Car number 55. Open team profile.

Where can I bet on Sainz podium finishes?

We compare Sainz podium markets across our SA partner books on every race preview page. Open Punters Edge hub.

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