After racing through Formula BMW, Formula Renault and GP3, Carlos Sainz impressed the Red Bull bosses to grant him a test driver during young driver events at Silverstone. He was signed for his debut Formula One season in 2015, partnering Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso for a double rookie lineup. He remained at the team for 2016 and 2017.

F1 biography

Carlos Sainz started his motorsport career in karting, following the traditional route towards single seaters and eventually Formula One. He had several victories in karting which gained him attention, and he moved up to Formula BMW in 2010. He was initially a guest driver, but his results impressed enough to get a full time drive.

He drove in some seasonal Formula Renault series, and then moved up to Formula Three during the 2012 season. He picked up pole positions and podiums but didn't quite manage a win. In 2013, he switched to GP3, signed to the Arden team, combining the season with a stint in Formula Renault 3.5.

With Red Bull connections, Sainz was granted a test in both the Toro Rosso car and the Red Bull, during Young Driver testing at Silverstone. He was signed for a full time Toro Rosso drive, making his F1 debut in 2015, replacing the outgoing Daniil Kvyat. It was a tense battle between Sainz and teammate Max Verstappen, and although Max finished ahead in the championship, Carlos still managed to impress and remained with the squad for 2016.

He was disappointed when Max Verstappen was given the call up to Red Bull when the team decided to swap with Daniil Kvyat, but Sainz used the emotions to spur him on to continue performing, and he earned himself another season with Toro Rosso in 2017.

Learn more about Carlos Sainz Jr with the Pocket F1 Handbook.