Carlos Sainz recently delighted fans by sharing a close-up selfie featuring his girlfriend, Rebecca Donaldson, shortly after a challenging weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Williams Racing driver posted the photo on social media to show a lighter side after a tough race.
The image captured both Sainz and Rebecca wearing matching white cycling outfits adorned with the driver’s #55 logo, set against a picturesque mountain backdrop. This photo was shared on Sainz’s Instagram story following their cycling outing, providing a comforting contrast to the frustration of his recent race performance at the Hungaroring circuit.
Background on Sainz and Donaldson’s Relationship and Race Performance
Carlos Sainz and Rebecca Donaldson’s relationship began publicly in the summer of 2023 after Sainz ended his seven-year relationship with Spanish model Isa Hernaez. Since then, the couple has been spotted together at various Formula 1 events and social occasions, with Rebecca gaining recognition as a fashion entrepreneur and model in her own right.
Rebecca attended the Hungarian Grand Prix to support Sainz, but the weekend did not unfold as hoped. The former Scuderia Ferrari driver qualified in 12th place but slipped further down the order during the race, ultimately finishing 14th behind Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Kick Sauber.
Rebecca Donaldson’s Public Response to Sainz’s Social Media Posts
Earlier in June, prior to the Austrian Grand Prix, Rebecca Donaldson responded affectionately to Sainz’s Instagram post. The 30-year-old commented “Cutie” under a series of photos showing Sainz boarding a jet en route to round 11 of the season.
The Austrian race weekend proved exceptionally difficult for Sainz, who started 19th on the grid. His qualifying struggles continued into the race when his car stalled on the formation lap due to suspected rear brake overheating. This mechanical failure forced the Madrid native to retire without starting the race, marking his first DNS (Did Not Start) for Williams Racing since joining from Scuderia Ferrari at the end of 2024.
The Impact of the Recent Struggles on Sainz’s 2025 Season
The combination of disappointing qualifying results and a mechanical failure in Austria has left Carlos Sainz facing a challenging start to his 2025 campaign with Williams Racing. His inability to finish at the Styrian hill race and the lackluster performance in Hungary highlight the obstacles the former McLaren and Ferrari driver must overcome.
Despite these setbacks, moments like the cycling selfie with Rebecca Donaldson underscore the personal support Sainz enjoys off the track, which could be crucial as he aims to rebuild momentum in the coming races. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how he and the Williams team respond to these early difficulties during the rest of the Formula 1 season.
