Rebecca Donaldson, who is Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend, recently responded with a single word to a social media post by Alexandra Saint-Mleux, the girlfriend of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. This interaction occurred during the challenging first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season, as Sainz adjusted to his new role at Williams after moving from Ferrari at the end of last year. The subtle online exchange has drawn interest from fans following the personal dynamics of F1 couples.
Williams has shown strong competitiveness on race weekends, yet it has been Sainz’s teammate Alex Albon who has earned most of the team’s points. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, a four-time race winner, has frequently looked for answers following disappointing results. Throughout this difficult period, Sainz has leaned on support from his close circle, especially from Rebecca Donaldson, who has been a steady figure by his side both on and off the track.
Donaldson, a professional model, has gained recognition within the F1 paddock not only for her fashion sense but also for her friendship with other prominent WAGs, including Alexandra Saint-Mleux, Carmen Montero Mundt, and Lily He. The group often shows mutual encouragement on social media, frequently engaging in comments under each other’s posts.
In a recent Instagram update, Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend shared images of herself in a golden gown set against an ocean backdrop, captioning the post, “Golden season.” In response, Rebecca Donaldson commented with just one word: “Beauty.” This understated reaction has sparked conversations among followers, highlighting the friendly relations between the two F1 couples.
Off the track, Sainz and Leclerc maintain a cordial relationship, regularly seen chatting during driver parades and within the paddock despite now competing for different teams. Their mutual respect stands out amid the intense rivalry of Formula 1.
Comparing Ferrari and Williams: Sainz highlights engine disparities
Carlos Sainz pointed out a key difference between Ferrari and Williams lies in their engine arrangements. Ferrari manufactures its power units in-house, while Williams relies on Mercedes as a customer for their engines. This distinction affects driving style and performance on the circuit.
During the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix, Sainz explained the technical challenges of adapting to a different engine supplier. He said,
“Engine braking? Can I draw it and explain it to you on a computer? Because here, just speaking about it, obviously I’m not going to go into detail, but it’s completely different.”
He continued,
“The way you use the gears, the downshift and how it goes into engine braking, the transition from the brake migration to the engine braking is different. You have to change your driving style for sure.”
These details illustrate the complexities involved when switching from a manufacturer-supported team to a customer team.
At 30 years old, Sainz has accumulated only 16 points across 14 races and three Sprint events in the 2025 season, placing him 16th in the drivers’ standings. Despite these struggles, both the driver and his team appear focused on improvement as the season progresses.
What this means for Sainz and Williams as the season advances
The evolving relationship between Carlos Sainz and Rebecca Donaldson, alongside the subtle social media interactions involving Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend, reflect the intertwined personal and professional worlds within Formula 1. While Sainz adapts to Williams’ setup and the challenges that come with a new team environment, the encouragement from his close supporters remains significant.
The ongoing rivalry and friendship between drivers and their partners casts a humanizing light on the sport beyond the track. With the season still underway, how Sainz and Williams adapt to technical demands will be key to climbing the standings, while social media glimpses offer fans deeper insight into the lives behind the helmets.
