It’s impossible not to be just a tad jealous of Williams’ Carlos Sainz. He isn’t just highly regarded by other pros in the paddock, he is also a fan favourite, thanks to his exploits on track and his contemporary Spanish good looks. And he has a stunning girlfriend to boot!
After his messy break-up with long-term girlfriend, Spanish journalist Isa Hernáez, the #55 driver was spotted with his new love interest, Rebecca Donaldson, on the streets of Italy back in May 2023, sparking intense curiosity among fans.
Since then, he has gone public about his relationship with the famous Scottish supermodel. And Donaldson has become a regular part of Sainz’s entourage in the F1 paddock. On his first official outing as a Williams driver, at the Australian GP on Sunday, she was once again by his side in the Grove-based team’s garage. So who exactly is this stunner by Sainz’s side?
Rebecca Donaldson is a celebrity in her own right
Donaldson’s standing in the elite world of modeling rivals her boyfriend’s stature in F1. The 29-year-old is regarded as one of the most marketable faces of the fashion business today.
In a notoriously short-spanned field, she is a veteran. She broke into the industry back in 2011, thanks to her appearance on the UK-based reality TV show ‘Top Model UK‘. This was a turning point in her career. “My family were all very pleased for me, they were jumping around and stuff,” she later admitted.
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Since then, she’s gone on to feature on the cover of some of the most prestigious magazines. Her resume includes the likes of Elle Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Vogue to just name a few.
Based in the United Kingdom, she is managed by Premier Model Management. Donaldson is also affiliated with other agencies across Europe and Oceania, including Line-Up Model Management (Barcelona) and Merci Management (Sydney).
Donaldson’s business foray
Apart from a successful career in modeling, the 29-year-old has also tried her hand at business. She is the founder of an activewear company called Muse Activewear, which she established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Explaining her motivations behind this venture, she said, “I was spending many days and hours during lockdown feeling a little purposeless. So, I decided to pursue my dream of starting a clothing brand.”
She is also good friends with Guzman Colilla’s girlfriend, Francina Florit. Colilla has Sainz as one of his clients since 2019 for his sports media company, The Crown Creators in Spain. Donaldson and Florit also share a common interest in fashion. Florit owns a clothing brand called Gin Lemon Menorca Vibes.
Recently, Donaldson drove a $433k worth Ferrari — the Purosangue — for a lunch outing with her two months ago and the pictures went viral on social media.
Donaldson has become a huge fan favorite because of her relationship with Sainz, epitomizing how solid it is.
Carlos Sainz Jr. and Rebecca Donaldson through each other’s eyes. There’s no need to post a photo of them together—just subtle hints like these are enough to show how effortlessly romantic and intimate my aesthetic parents are. pic.twitter.com/WwNnDUmDEp
— Alex. (@normelpeople) January 5, 2025
Sainz, can you fight? Rebecca Donaldson will always be that one woman to me. pic.twitter.com/mz2TFNHoIE
— Alex. (@normelpeople) February 6, 2025
Rebecca Donaldson and Carlos Sainz Jr. never beating the my parents allegations. pic.twitter.com/A5JC4x6UX7
— Alex. (@normelpeople) October 28, 2024
Donaldson and Sainz seem to be pretty smitten by each other. Naturally, one of the biggest questions in the paddock is about where their relationship is headed.
Will Sainz and Donaldson marry?
While there are no plans of getting married yet, the duo appear to be thinking about the possibility very strongly. The 30-year-old once even joked that he would marry the Scottish model in Las Vegas.
That said, with a grueling 24-race F1 calendar and the sacrifices required to reach the pinnacle of a sport like Formula 1, marriage would come off as a daunting commitment.
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Sainz’s father, who is a two-time WRC champion and four-time Dakar Rally winner, knows exactly what it takes for a racing driver to settle down. That’s why he has admitted that he won’t be forcing them to tie the knot anytime soon.
He was quoted by the Spanish media outlet Hola, “I think getting married and starting a family is a very difficult decision for everyone. Seriously, I trust that when he decides, it will be because it’s clear.”
For the moment, Sainz has his work cut out for the 2025 season, after a poor start at the Australian GP. Donaldson might play a key role in calming his nerves and support him in his journey. How well the duo balances their professional aspirations could very well decide the fate of their relationship.