F1 drivers often emerge from wealthy backgrounds, but few have the rich motorsport legacy that Carlos Sainz enjoys from birth. His father, Carlos Sainz Sr., is a two-time rallying world champion, cementing racing as a family tradition. Additionally, Sainz is part of Spain’s elite society, with connections that even reportedly span to the Spanish Royal Family.
However, the Sainz family’s journey to success was not without struggle. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Sainz reflected on the challenges his family faced during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. It was his grandfather, Antonio Sainz Rebollo, who played a pivotal role in their success story. Sainz shared that his grandfather came from humble beginnings, losing his father at the age of 14 and eventually establishing a construction company from scratch after the war.
“He came from a very humble family, he lost his dad at 14. He had to build his own construction company after the civil war in Spain — from nothing,” said Sainz when discussing his grandfather’s influence. Antonio laid the foundation for the family’s wealth, enabling Sainz Sr. to pursue his motorsport career, ultimately allowing Carlos Sainz to follow in his father’s footsteps and reach the highest levels of racing.
During this reflection, Sainz discussed his desire to uphold family traditions that his grandfather established—traditions that bound the family together. With a heavy heart, he spoke about his grandfather, who passed away a couple of years ago, and recalled how Antonio’s generosity transformed their family’s dynamic. The former Ferrari driver recounted that his grandfather would host lavish lunches for the entire family, a cherished custom that Sainz is determined to maintain.
“And as soon as he achieved and became the man that he became, he made sure to be the most generous person possible to his family, and he started organizing [these lunches] in this way,” Sainz explained. It appears that this sense of generosity and togetherness runs deep within the Sainz family, as Carlos noted that his own father is now committed to keeping this tradition alive, a duty that he aspires to take on in the future.
The legacy of Carlos Sainz is not just about racing but also about family values. As he continues to carve his path in the world of motorsport, the influence of his family—including the sacrifices made by his grandfather—remains a guiding force. Sainz’s commitment to preserving these traditions not only honors his family’s history but also shapes the future of his own legacy in racing.
