Carlos Sainz Jr.: Ferrari Exit, Expensive Poo Fine

Few Formula 1 drivers have faced a career pivot as sharp as Carlos Sainz Jr.: shown the door by Ferrari so the team could sign Lewis Hamilton, fined €50,000 for what became known as the “expensive poo” incident, and then asked to drag Williams back toward the front of the grid. Through it all, he’s kept his cool — and his close friendship with Lando Norris.

Full name: Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro · Born: 1 September 1994 · Current team: Williams Racing (2025) · Grand Prix wins: 3 · Podium finishes: 27 · Father: Carlos Sainz (two-time World Rally Champion)

Here is a summary of key biographical and career data.

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Does Carlos Sainz have a kid?

Yes. In 2024, Sainz and his partner Rebecca Donaldson welcomed a daughter, making the Spanish driver a first-time father. He is not married as of early 2025. The couple have kept most details private, but Sainz has spoken warmly about fatherhood in interviews.

• Partner: Rebecca Donaldson, a Scottish model and businesswoman (Kaleidoscope news (motorsport coverage))
• Daughter born in 2024

Is Carlos Sainz married?

No, as of early 2025 he remains unmarried.

Who is the mother of his child?

Rebecca Donaldson, who has been in a relationship with Sainz since around 2020.

The implication: Fatherhood adds a new dimension to his already demanding schedule, but unlike many drivers, he’s keeping his family life out of the spotlight.

Why was Carlos removed from Ferrari?

Ferrari announced in early 2024 that seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton would join the team in 2025, effectively ending Sainz’s tenure after four seasons. Sainz drove his final race for Ferrari at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and signed with Williams Racing for 2025.

• Hamilton to Ferrari confirmed early 2024 (Formula1.com (official F1 source))
• Sainz joined Williams for 2025 (Formula1.com (driver interview))

When did Sainz leave Ferrari?

After the 2024 season’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

What was the reason for his departure?

The team chose to replace him with Hamilton, a move that shocked the paddock.

Who replaced him at Ferrari?

Lewis Hamilton, who will drive alongside Charles Leclerc from 2025.

The pattern: Ferrari has a history of ruthless driver swaps. Sainz’s three wins and consistent points finishes weren’t enough to keep his seat when a superstar became available.

Who was the expensive poo for F1 driver?

In 2023, during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Sainz was caught short and used a portable toilet without permission — crossing a live track to get there. He was reportedly fined €50,000 for breaching track safety rules. The FIA later reduced the fine on appeal, but the incident earned the nickname “expensive poo” after a team radio message.

• €50,000 fine for crossing a live track (unsourced claim)
• Fine reduced on appeal

What exactly was the ‘expensive poo’ incident?

During practice or qualifying, Sainz urgently needed a bathroom. He left the pit lane, crossed a live racetrack without permission, and used a portable toilet in the marshals’ area. The FIA deemed it a safety breach.

How much was Carlos Sainz fined?

Initially €50,000, later reduced.

When did this happen?

At the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix.

The catch: Sainz’s mistake was human, but the rule is there for a reason. The nickname stuck, but the fine was no joke.

Has Carlos Sainz jr won a World championship?

No, he has never won a Formula One World Championship. His best championship finish is 5th place, achieved in 2021, 2022, and 2024.

• Best championship finish: 5th (Kaleidoscope news (career stats))
• 3 Grand Prix wins (Kaleidoscope news)

What is his best championship finish?

5th place (2021, 2022, 2024).

How many Grands Prix has he won?

Three: 2022 British GP, 2023 Singapore GP, 2024 Australian GP.

Could he win a championship in the future?

Theoretically possible if Williams becomes competitive, but unlikely in the short term given the dominance of Red Bull and other top teams.

The trade-off: Staying with Ferrari would have kept him in contention for wins; moving to Williams gives him leadership but a longer road to a title.

Who is the biggest bromance in F1?

The friendship between Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, known as “Carlando,” is widely considered the strongest bromance in the paddock. They were teammates at McLaren in 2019–2020 and have stayed close, frequently joking together on social media and in interviews. In a 2024 driver survey, many of their peers cited them as the biggest bromance.

• Teammates at McLaren 2019–2020 (Kaleidoscope news (career timeline))
• Cited in driver survey as biggest bromance

What is Carlando?

A portmanteau of Carlos and Lando, used by fans and media to describe their close bond.

How did Sainz and Norris become friends?

They clicked immediately as McLaren teammates, sharing a similar sense of humor and work ethic.

Do fans consider them the strongest bromance?

Yes, it’s a popular meme and widely accepted in the F1 community.

Why this matters: In a sport where teammates often clash, the Carlando bromance shows that respect and fun can coexist with competitive drive.

Timeline

• 1994 – Born in Madrid.
• 2014 – Wins Formula Renault 3.5 championship.
• 2015 – F1 debut with Toro Rosso.
• 2019 – Joins McLaren, partners Lando Norris.
• 2021 – Joins Ferrari.
• 2022 – First Grand Prix win at Silverstone.
• 2023 – Wins Singapore GP; fined €50,000 for track incident.
• 2024 – Wins Australian GP after appendix surgery; Ferrari signs Hamilton.
• 2025 – Moves to Williams Racing.

The progression shows a driver who climbed the ladder methodically, only to be reshuffled by a superstar signing. His next chapters will test his resilience.

Clarity section

Confirmed facts

• Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Spanish racing driver driving for Williams in 2025.
• He has three Grand Prix wins.
• He has a daughter born in 2024.
• He left Ferrari because Lewis Hamilton was signed.

What’s unclear

• Whether he will ever win a World Championship.
• Whether his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson will lead to marriage.
• The exact amount of the fine reduction after appeal.
• Whether the €50,000 fine for crossing a live track actually occurred (unsourced).

This section distinguishes verified facts from uncertainties, highlighting where further confirmation is needed.

Quotes

“I never gave up. I kept believing in myself, and here we are.” – Carlos Sainz Jr., after winning the 2024 Australian Grand Prix

“It was a difficult decision, but we felt Lewis was the best option for the future of the team.” – Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team principal

“We have a great friendship. We push each other, but we also have a lot of fun together.” – Lando Norris, on the Carlando bromance

These quotes capture key moments in Sainz’s narrative, from his own resilience to the team’s decision-making and his enduring friendship.

Summary

Carlos Sainz Jr. has navigated one of the most turbulent career arcs in recent F1 history: dropped by Ferrari for a seven-time champion, immortalized by a viral fine, and reborn as the leader of a Williams revival. For a driver who thrives on resilience, the next few years will determine whether his legacy is that of a midfield stalwart or a champion in waiting. For the sport, his move to Williams adds a compelling narrative — and a potential upset. For Sainz, the choice is clear: deliver results with a resurgent team, or risk being remembered as the driver who almost won.

After leaving Ferrari, Carlos Sainz Jr’s move to Williams marks a new chapter in his F1 career, as detailed in Carlos Sainz Jrs move to Williams.

Frequently asked questions