Carlos Sainz
- TeamWilliams
- NationalityESP
- Number55
There may be two Carlos Sainz’, but there is only one Smooth Operator.
Born into racing royalty, Sainz first jumped into a kart at seven years old at his father’s indoor karting centre in Madrid, and the rest is history. His father a World Rally Champion, it was never a question whether or not he would get behind the wheel, it was how early could he start?
Carlos Sainz made his debut in Melbourne in 2015 with Toro Rosso alongside another debutant in Max Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz Jr is without a doubt a fan favourite at Albert Park. Nearly a decade after making his Formula 1® debut in Australia, the Spaniard finally conquered the Aussie street circuit in 2024, a win made event more remarkable given it was just weeks after undergoing appendicitis surgery. With Sainz on the top step, and teammate Charles Leclerc on the second, the 2024 Ferrari masterclass sparked celebrations across Melbourne as the city's iconic Lygon Street came alive with a sea of passionate Tifosi.
| Australian Grand Prix Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Races: | 9 |
| Best Qualifying: | 2nd (2024) |
| Best Race Result: | 1st (2024) |
| Podiums: | 1 |
| Points Finishes: | 5 |