Being the son of a driver who made historical past in his sport isn’t at all times straightforward. On one hand, you’re immersed in a aggressive tradition from childhood, residing each day with a job mannequin you may look as much as and depend on. Alternatively, comparisons are fixed, and a few might imagine your path was made simpler on account of your loved ones connections. A well-known surname can find yourself overwhelming a younger rookie, overshadowed by their father’s numerous successes. System 1 is filled with examples of sons following of their fathers’ footsteps, from Antonio and Alberto Ascari within the early days to Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve, Graham and Damon Hill, Keke and Nico Rosberg, and Michael and Mick Schumacher. However there are additionally those that selected to race in a distinct class. That is what occurred within the Sainz household: father Carlos Sr. is a rally legend, whereas son Carlos made his F1 debut in 2015 and drove for Ferrari from 2021 till this season.
The Carlos Sainz household
For Carlos Jr., matching his father’s accomplishments can be troublesome. Firstly, it could require a profession change that few drivers have undertaken, usually with disappointing outcomes. Secondly, Carlos Sainz Sr.’s profession is so lengthy and full of successes that it could be onerous to even come shut. “He’s a drive of nature who by no means stops,” says his son. “He continuously pushes you to lift the bar. He’s somebody who, after quitting rallying, determined to modify to rally raids and managed to win the hardest occasion of all, the Dakar Rally, thrice.”
The careers of each Sainz drivers are nonetheless ongoing. At 59, Carlos Sr. has began a brand new journey in Excessive E, driving electrical SUVs, whereas Carlos Jr. has simply concluded his final season with Ferrari. From subsequent 12 months, he’ll drive for Williams alongside Alex Albon. “My relationship with him has at all times been very intense,” says the 27-year-old from Madrid. “My father can’t sit nonetheless, and as a baby, that meant at all times being pushed to do extra. Once I began to like karting, he supported and motivated me and had no points with the truth that I wouldn’t observe in his footsteps.”
Carlos Jr.: “The Sainz surname is an honor, however at first, it was a burden.”
Carrying the Sainz title “has at all times been an honor,” says Carlos, “however firstly of my profession, it was additionally a burden.” Talking in regards to the racing world, he says, “Insiders and the media may be cynical, and early in my profession, many individuals implied I used to be solely there as a result of I used to be the son of a racing champion. Throughout that point, my father pushed me and helped me give my finest. That’s how I managed to show, by way of my outcomes, that I deserved the profession I used to be carving out.” Now Carlos Jr. has accomplished his tenth System 1 season, 4 of which had been with Ferrari. “I’d say I’ve realized to face alone two ft since then,” he says. “However it’s nonetheless essential for me to know my father is by my aspect.”
Signing with Ferrari
Driving for Ferrari is a dream for a lot of drivers, together with Carlos Sainz. The Spanish driver joined Maranello in 2021, changing Sebastian Vettel and teaming up with Charles Leclerc. In 2024, his journey in pink got here to an finish, however he nonetheless remembers the day they sealed the deal. “As at all times, we needed to work on a number of drafts of the contract, maintain a lot of conferences, and ship emails forwards and backwards between Madrid and Maranello. Plus, every thing needed to be achieved by way of video name as a result of Covid made touring not possible. That morning, I wakened at eight, and my father mentioned, ‘Seize a pen, the Ferrari contract is right here. You could signal it.’ I used to be nonetheless in my pajamas,” laughs Carlos. “However I signed it proper there after which.” – the long run Williams driver concluded.
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