Carlos Sainz 2025: Appendicitis, Ferrari Exit, and New Williams Start

There aren’t many F1 drivers who can say they’ve gone from a hospital bed to the top step of the podium in just 16 days. But Carlos Sainz managed exactly that in 2024 after emergency surgery for appendicitis, and his career has kept delivering surprises, from his sudden departure from Ferrari to a fresh start at Williams.

Full name: Carlos Sainz Vázquez de Castro Cenamor Rincón Rebollo Virto Moreno de Aranda Don Per Urrielagoiria Pérez del Pulgar ·
Born: September 1, 1994 (age 30) ·
Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) ·
Current team: Williams Racing (2025–present) ·
F1 debut: 2015 Australian Grand Prix ·
Wins: 4 (as of 2025)

Eight key facts about Carlos Sainz, one pattern: a career built on resilience and lineage.

What has happened to Carlos Sainz?

Appendicitis and missed Saudi Arabian GP

• Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis early on Friday March 8, 2024, ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix round (Scuderia Ferrari on X).
• He underwent emergency surgery and was replaced by Oliver Bearman for the remainder of the Jeddah weekend (Sky Sports (UK broadcaster)).
• Bearman was pulled from his Formula 2 duties to stand in.

Just 16 days after leaving hospital in Saudi Arabia, Sainz was back in the cockpit at Melbourne. He won the Australian Grand Prix on March 24, 2024 (ESPN (sports news network)).

Move from Ferrari to Williams

• Ferrari announced in early 2024 that Lewis Hamilton would join the team for 2025, pushing Sainz out.
• Sainz completed the 2024 season with Ferrari, winning in Australia and Mexico City, and contributing to the team’s Constructors’ Championship battle (Formula1.com).
• In July 2024, Williams confirmed Sainz would partner Alex Albon from 2025 on a multi-year deal (Sky Sports (UK broadcaster)).

Is Carlos Sainz in a relationship?

Current relationship status

• Media reports have linked Sainz to Rebecca Donaldson, a Scottish model and TV personality, since late 2024.
• Neither Sainz nor Donaldson has publicly confirmed the relationship.
• Sainz has historically kept his personal life out of the spotlight.

Who was Carlos Sainz’ ex-girlfriend?

• Sainz previously dated Spanish model and influencer Isa Hernáez.
• The couple were together for several years before reportedly splitting in 2023.
• Hernáez has a significant social media following and works in fashion.

The information about Sainz’s relationships comes from tabloid coverage and social media speculation. No official statements from the driver are recorded.

Does Ferrari regret dropping Sainz?

Ferrari’s decision to replace Sainz with Hamilton

• Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton on a multi-year contract beginning in 2025, replacing Sainz (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
• The deal was announced in February 2024, before Sainz’s appendicitis recovery.
• Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur publicly praised Sainz’s contributions after the move was confirmed.

Sainz’s performance at Ferrari

• Sainz scored four race wins for Ferrari between 2021 and 2024.
• He finished second in the 2022 Drivers’ Championship behind Max Verstappen.
• His Melbourne win in 2024 was described by Vasseur as “a masterclass in resilience” (Formula1.com).

The implication: Ferrari’s public diplomacy suggests the team stands by its decision, but the contrast between Hamilton’s legacy and Sainz’s resilience leaves room for speculation.

What is Carlos Sainz’s diagnosis?

Appendicitis diagnosis and surgery

• Sainz was diagnosed with acute appendicitis on the morning of qualifying for the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP (Scuderia Ferrari on X).
• He underwent laparoscopic appendectomy the same day.
• The condition involves inflammation of the appendix, typically caused by a blockage (The Autopian (motoring analysis)).

Recovery timeline

• Medical sources generally recommend 2–4 weeks of rest before returning to normal activity after an appendectomy.
• Sainz used hyperbaric chambers twice daily and an Indiba machine to accelerate recovery (ESPN (sports news network)).
• He cleared FIA medical checks in time for the Australian GP and won the race 16 days post-surgery.

The pattern: Sainz’s recovery speed set a new benchmark for post-surgery return to competitive racing, demonstrating extreme physical discipline.

Are any F1 drivers LGBTQ?

Openly LGBTQ drivers in F1 history

• No current F1 driver is publicly out as LGBTQ.
• Mike Beuttler, who raced in the early 1970s, was widely reported to be gay, though he never publicly confirmed it.
• More recently, no active driver has come out, and the paddock remains largely closed on this topic.

Current F1 grid and LGBTQ representation

• F1 has initiatives such as “We Race As One” to promote inclusion.
• Several teams display rainbow branding during Pride month.
• Despite these efforts, the absence of an openly LGBTQ driver on the grid is notable.

The lack of out LGBTQ drivers in F1 stands in contrast to other sports. While the sport has taken steps toward inclusivity, the culture may still discourage drivers from being open about their personal lives.

A specifications overview of Carlos Sainz — the numbers and milestones that define his career.

Timeline: Carlos Sainz’s journey to Williams

• September 1, 1994 – Born in Madrid, Spain.
• 2015 – F1 debut with Toro Rosso.
• 2017–2018 – Drove for Renault.
• 2019–2020 – Drove for McLaren.
• 2021–2024 – Drove for Ferrari, winning four races.
• March 2024 – Diagnosed with appendicitis, missed Saudi Arabian GP, returned to win Australian GP.
• 2025 – Joined Williams Racing.

What this means: The timeline underscores a career path marked by rapid adaptation and resilience through team changes and health setbacks.

“I feel ready. I have done as much as possible to recover. The team has given me everything to make it happen.”

Carlos Sainz, quoted on Formula1.com

“Carlos has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery. He will not take any further part in this weekend’s event.”

Scuderia Ferrari statement, via X

Carlos Sainz’s 2024 appendicitis ordeal and his move to Williams have tested his resilience like few other F1 drivers have experienced. For Williams, the message is clear: sign a proven race winner and accelerate the rebuild, or risk stagnation in the midfield.