Carlos Sainz Sr.

Carlos Sainz Sr. is a Spanish racing driver who made his name in rallying. He became a two-time World Rally Champion (WRC) and won the famous Dakar Rally multiple times. He is also the father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr.

Sainz Sr. began his rally career in the 1980s and won the Spanish Championship in 1987 and 1988. In 1990, he claimed his first WRC world title with Toyota, followed by a second in 1992, also with Toyota. Throughout his career, he drove for top teams such as Ford, Subaru, Lancia, and Citroën, securing a total of 26 WRC victories. In 2005, he contested his final race in the series.

After his WRC career, Sainz Sr. shifted focus to the Dakar Rally, one of the toughest motorsport events in the world. He won his first Dakar in 2010 with Volkswagen. More victories followed in 2018 with Peugeot, in 2020 with MINI, and in 2024 with Audi — making him the oldest Dakar Rally winner in history. In 2025, he was forced to retire early after his Ford was heavily damaged in a crash during the first stage. The FIA barred him from continuing.

Sainz Sr. is the father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz Jr., who races for Williams in 2025. With his vast experience, Sainz Sr. played a key role in his son’s development. Despite competing in different disciplines — rally versus F1 — the two share a deep passion for motorsport. Sainz Sr. is also a regular presence in the F1 paddock.

Sainz Sr.’s exact net worth is not publicly known. His income comes from his successful racing career, sponsorship deals, and long-term partnerships with major brands such as Toyota, Volkswagen, MINI, and Peugeot.

Since 1992, Sainz Sr. has been married to Reyes Vázquez de Castro. Together, they have three children: Blanca (1993), Carlos Jr. (1994), and Ana (1998). His eldest daughter recently became a mother, making Sainz Sr. a grandfather for the first time.

Carlos Sainz Sr. was born on April 12, 1962, in Madrid. He is 63 years old, approximately 1.78 meters tall, and weighs around 75 kilograms. Despite his age, he remains active in motorsport.

In 2020, Sainz Sr. received the Princess of Asturias Award in the sports category — one of Spain’s highest honors. He is regarded as a pioneer of Spanish motorsport, paving the way for future generations of drivers.

In 2025, Sainz Sr. considered running for FIA president as a challenger to Mohammed Ben Sulayem. With his experience as a rally champion and father of an F1 driver, he wanted to push for change, but ultimately chose not to enter the race. Earlier, in 2006, he unsuccessfully attempted to become vice president of Real Madrid.