When Carlos met his racing idol

Back in 2005, a ten-year-old Carlos Sainz made his first visit to the F1 paddock during the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Catalunya. Along with his father, two-time WRC champion Carlos Sainz, the youngster went to meet his childhood hero Fernando Alonso, who was then en route to his first F1 title with Renault.

Ten years later, Carlos is now racing alongside his idol at the top echelon. “That was a big shock for me and an amazing experience and probably thanks to that it’s where I take the decision that I really wanted to be a Formula One driver one day,” Sainz commented during Thursday’s FIA press conference.

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

4 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

7 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago