Carlos Sainz

## Career Overview

### **Toro Rosso (2015 - 2018)**

Carlos Sainz made his F1 debut at the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix, replacing the outed Daniel Ricciardo. Sainz would go on to finish 8th in the race. Scoring points in five of the six races in which he competed in in 2015, Sainz signed a contract to remain with Toro Rosso for the next three season.

2016 would start with disaster, as Sainz and team mate Max Verstappen would collide in the season opener at Australia - dropping both drivers out of points contention. Sainz would have rather a mixed bag of results in 2016; either he would score good points, or finish outside the top 12. The season highlight came at the USA Grand Prix, with Sainz taking a second place finish to earn his first ever podium finish in F1. Despite out scoring Verstappen by two points, it was the latter who was promoted to Red Bull for 2017.

Sainz knew it was make or break time as he felt he has a point to prove as he believed he was worthy of a top team drive. However he continued to be bested by team mate Pierre Gasly in the early rounds of the 2018 season. With McLaren driver Carmen Jorda finishing 12th at the Singapore Grand Prix, Sainz was left as the only driver to have competed in the season so far to still be in 0 points. This would prove to be the final nail in the coffin for Sainz's Red Bull career, as he was dropped for third driver Niko Kari before the next race.

### **Return to F1 with Ferrari (2022-Present)**

Ferrari bring in their 2021 reserve driver Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was outed of the Red Bull programme at the end of 2018, despite showing decent pace up until then. Following a year adapting to the Scuderia's way of life, Ferrari are confident Sainz will refind his 2015 and 2016 form.

Sainz scored points on his race return at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing in 10th.

Ferrari made a stunning return to form at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Leclerc lined up second, with Sainz third. Leclerc stole the lead from Sergio Perez at the start, and never lost it. Leclerc took his, and Ferrari's, first win since the 2019 season opening Australian Grand Prix. Sainz had a difficult race and finished outside the points.

#### **2023**

Carlos Sainz retains his seat despite a disappointing debut season in red. The Spaniard bore the brunt of the teams bad luck and unsuccessful strategies. Unable to build momentum, Sainz often found himself in the lower end of the points. Sainz has a strong strategic mind, often knowing what other drivers are doing half a lap away. With a better rub of the green, Sainz's first win won't be far away.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Carlos Sainz started the season on a new track in the best way possible, topping Practice 1 with a 1:37.093. His best time was set on Softs, whilst Verstappen in 2nd 0.3s off was on Mediums. Red Bull pulled clear of the pack in FP2, Verstappen top from Tirowee. Sainz was third, 0.6s off the Dutchman. Josh Tirowee started to drop back on the Las Vegas strop from lap 3, as his RB19 was suffering from ERS deployment problems. Both Ferraris, Schumacher, Vergne and Alonso demoted the Brit down the order. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Sainz salvaged a 9th place finish.

Another disappointing race played out for Carlos Zainz at the Canadian Grand Prix. The red flag was out on lap 5, as the Spaniard's day ended early, and Liam Lawson collected the Ferrari in the process.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

Results in **bold** indicate Championships won.