Carlos Sainz delighted fans by posting a close-up cycling selfie with his girlfriend, Rebecca Donaldson, shortly after the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The Williams Racing driver, aged 30, shared the photo on social media, capturing a moment of togetherness during their outdoor activity.
The image showed both Sainz and Rebecca dressed in matching white cycling gear featuring Sainz’s signature #55, set against a scenic mountain backdrop. This outing came after a challenging race at the Hungaroring, where Sainz struggled to make an impact.
Background on Sainz and Donaldson’s Relationship
Carlos Sainz and Rebecca Donaldson’s relationship began publicly in the summer of 2023, soon after his split from Spanish model Isa Hernaez, with whom he had been in a long-term relationship for seven years. Since then, Sainz and Rebecca have been frequently seen together both at Formula 1 events and various public occasions.
Rebecca Donaldson is known not only as Sainz’s partner but also as a fashion entrepreneur and model. She was present at the Hungarian Grand Prix to support Sainz during the weekend, although the event did not yield the results they had hoped for.
Performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix
At the Budapest race, the Williams driver qualified in 12th position but fell further behind during the race, ultimately finishing 14th. Sainz ended up behind Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Kick Sauber, marking a disappointing outing for the former Scuderia Ferrari racer.
Rebecca Donaldson’s Response to Sainz’s Social Media Post
Earlier in June, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Rebecca Donaldson reacted affectionately to Carlos Sainz’s social media post. Sainz had shared photos of himself boarding a jet en route to the race, captioned:
“✈️ Off to round 11”
Rebecca responded with a brief but tender comment:
“Cutie” —Rebecca Donaldson
Challenges Faced at the Austrian Grand Prix
The Austrian Grand Prix weekend proved difficult for Sainz, who started 19th on the grid for Williams Racing. More complications arose when his car failed to move at the start of the formation lap. Assisted back to the pit lane, Sainz’s FW47 suffered a severe brake issue that caused the vehicle to catch fire, forcing him to retire from the race.
This incident marked Sainz’s first “Did Not Start” (DNS) with Williams Racing since his move from Scuderia Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. The weekend’s events underscored the challenges the driver encountered during his transitional period in Formula 1.
Implications for Carlos Sainz’s Season and Future
The cycling selfie with Rebecca Donaldson reflects a rare moment of tranquility for Sainz amid a tough race calendar. Their relationship and public displays of support highlight the personal stability behind a demanding professional life. As Sainz continues to adapt to his role with Williams Racing, his experiences in recent races suggest that the upcoming events will be critical for both driver and team performance.