The Short Answer: No Children
No — Carlos Sainz does not have any children. As of October 2026, the 32-year-old Spaniard has never announced a child, been photographed with a child of his own, or indicated any plans to start a family imminently. His public life revolves around two things: Formula 1 and his relationship with girlfriend Rebecca Donaldson.
The speculation isn’t baseless, though. In 2025, his father Carlos Sainz Sr. spoke openly about marriage and family in interviews, saying that getting married and starting a family is “a very difficult decision” that requires choosing who will be the mother of your children — comments widely read as a gentle nudge toward his son and Donaldson. Sainz Jr., for his part, has stayed diplomatic and noncommittal, keeping the focus on racing.
At 32, Sainz is in the phase of his career where many drivers start families — but he’s also in the middle of a high-pressure reset: after four Grand Prix wins with Ferrari, he moved to Williams for 2025, a project requiring total professional commitment. For now, the answer to “does Carlos Sainz have kids” is a clean no.
Rebecca Donaldson: The Girlfriend Since 2023
Since mid-2023, Sainz has been dating Rebecca Donaldson, a Scottish model and businesswoman. The relationship became public that June when the two were spotted walking together in Milan, and by the end of the year Donaldson was a fixture in the F1 paddock — her hug and kiss for Sainz at the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix became one of the season’s viral moments.
Donaldson, who owns the fashion brand Muse Activewear (launched during the COVID-19 lockdown), previously dated TV personality Scott Disick before meeting Sainz. She has integrated smoothly into the Sainz family orbit, appearing alongside his parents and sisters at races from Monaco to Las Vegas, and she accompanied him through his emotional Ferrari farewell and his Williams debut at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.
Before Donaldson, Sainz was in a nearly seven-year relationship with Spanish journalist Isa Hernáez; they split in June 2023. Neither relationship has produced children, and Sainz has never been married.
His Parents: Carlos Sainz Sr. and Reyes
To understand the Sainz family, start with his father. Carlos Sainz Sr., born in 1962, is a two-time World Rally Champion (1990, 1992) and one of Spain’s greatest motorsport figures — so accomplished that in 2025 he was even linked with a bid for the FIA presidency. He has been the defining influence on his son’s career, and the two share a famously close, teasing relationship visible in Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
His mother, Reyes Vázquez de Castro, is the family’s quiet anchor, frequently spotted in the paddock supporting her son. Sainz Sr. has joked that arranging his son’s eventual wedding will be Reyes’s job, not his — “I’ve already been with my two daughters; this time it’s not my turn.”
That reference is to Sainz’s two older sisters, Ana and Blanca, both of whom their father has walked down the aisle. The Sainz clan is famously tight-knit: family members routinely travel to Grands Prix together, and Carlos Jr.’s 2024 wedding-season role as the unmarried sibling has become a running family joke.
Who Is Carlos Sainz? A Quick Biography
Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro was born on September 1, 1994, in Madrid, Spain. He entered Formula 1 in 2015 with Toro Rosso as a Red Bull junior, then moved through Renault (2017–2018) and McLaren (2019–2020) — where he scored his first podiums — before joining Ferrari in 2021. At Maranello he became a four-time Grand Prix winner, including a memorable 2023 Singapore victory that broke Red Bull’s winning streak.
When Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to Ferrari displaced him, Sainz signed with Williams Racing for 2025, betting on the historic British team’s rebuilding project. The first season was challenging — he was comprehensively outperformed by teammate Alex Albon early on — but Sainz has framed it as a long-term project.
Known as “Chili” to fans, Sainz is regarded as one of the grid’s most intelligent and technically gifted drivers, famous for his smooth style and meticulous preparation. At 32, he remains firmly in his competitive prime.
Why No Kids Yet: Career Comes First
There’s no mystery or controversy behind Sainz’s child-free status — it’s arithmetic. A Formula 1 season spans roughly 24 races across five continents, with drivers spending 200+ days a year traveling. Add the Williams rebuild, simulator work, sponsor obligations, and the physical training load, and there’s little bandwidth left for family life.
Sainz himself has never expressed urgency about fatherhood. His father’s 2025 comments — that marriage and children require deep deliberation — suggest the family views it as a when-it’s-right decision, not a milestone to hit. Donaldson, for her part, is building her own fashion business and shows no public signs of pushing for a wedding or baby.
Fans sometimes confuse Sainz with his father’s generation: Carlos Sr. had three children, and the paddock is full of driver-dads. But among the current grid’s thirty-somethings, Sainz is far from alone in waiting. For now, his “kids” are metaphorical — the Williams FW47 and the project of dragging a legendary team back to the front.
Carlos Sainz in 2026
As of October 2026, Sainz is 32 and deep into his second season with Williams, still chasing the team’s return to podium contention. His relationship with Rebecca Donaldson appears stable — she remains a paddock regular — and his family continues to travel with him to key races.
The marriage question will likely follow him into 2027: his sisters are both married, his father keeps dropping hints, and Donaldson’s integration into the family is complete. But children? Nothing in Sainz’s public statements or his partner’s suggests a baby is imminent. The smart money says wedding bells — eventually — come before baby news, and both are subordinate to the Williams project for now.
For a driver nicknamed after a chili pepper, the family timeline is notably mild: no rush, no drama, just racing.
Carlos Sainz: Quick Facts
Does Carlos Sainz have kids? No — zero children as of October 2026. Who is his girlfriend? Scottish model Rebecca Donaldson, dating since mid-2023. How old is he? 32 — born September 1, 1994, in Madrid. Who are his parents? Rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr. and Reyes Vázquez de Castro; he has two older sisters, Ana and Blanca. Which F1 team? Williams Racing (since 2025), previously Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso. How many F1 wins? Four Grand Prix victories.
The Sainz Racing Dynasty
Carlos Sainz Jr. was born into motorsport royalty. His father, Carlos Sainz Sr. (born April 12, 1962), is a two-time World Rally Champion (1990, 1992) and one of rallying's all-time greats, with four Dakar Rally victories to his name. Growing up, Sainz Jr. watched his father conquer the world's toughest rallies, and the expectation, as much as the inspiration, shaped his path.
The Sainz family is close-knit: Carlos Jr.'s mother, Reyes Vázquez de Castro, and his siblings have been constants in the paddock throughout his career. Despite the fame, the family maintains a relatively private life in Madrid, far from the Netflix-drive-to-survive circus.
As for his own family plans, Sainz Jr. has been in a long-term relationship with Isabel Hernáez, and later linked with Rebecca Donaldson. At 31, with his Williams move marking a new career chapter, children appear to be a question for the future, not the present. The Sainz racing line, for now, runs through father and son, not yet a third generation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carlos Sainz have kids?
No. As of October 2026, Carlos Sainz has no children and has never announced any. His focus is on his Formula 1 career with Williams and his relationship with Rebecca Donaldson.
Who is Carlos Sainz's girlfriend?
He has been dating Scottish model and businesswoman Rebecca Donaldson since mid-2023. She owns the fashion brand Muse Activewear and is a regular in the F1 paddock.
How old is Carlos Sainz?
He is 32 years old, born on September 1, 1994, in Madrid, Spain.
Who are Carlos Sainz's parents?
His father is Carlos Sainz Sr., the two-time World Rally Champion, and his mother is Reyes Vázquez de Castro. He has two older sisters, Ana and Blanca.
What F1 team does Carlos Sainz drive for?
He drives for Williams Racing, joining in 2025 after four seasons with Ferrari. He previously raced for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, and has four Grand Prix wins.
Was Carlos Sainz married before?
No. He has never been married. Before Rebecca Donaldson, he was in a nearly seven-year relationship with Spanish journalist Isa Hernáez, which ended in June 2023.
Does Carlos Sainz want children in the future?
He hasn't said so publicly. His father has spoken about marriage and family as a serious future decision, but Sainz himself keeps the focus on racing, and there are no reports of imminent family plans.
Sources
- Wikipedia - Carlos Sainz Jr.Birth date September 1, 1994; F1 career across Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, Williams; four Grand Prix wins; family background.
- Sportskeeda - Carlos Sainz girlfriendRelationship with Rebecca Donaldson since 2023; father Carlos Sr.'s comments on marriage and starting a family.
- People - Carlos SainzOngoing People coverage of Sainz's career and personal life.