Rebecca Donaldson is known to be the most devoted supporter of Carlos Sainz’s racing career. The Spanish Formula 1 driver, currently racing for Ferrari, became publicly linked to the Scottish model during the summer of 2023, shortly after ending his nearly seven-year relationship with Spanish journalist Isa Hernáez.
Although Sainz and Donaldson have kept their romance relatively private, Sainz playfully remarked during an interview with fellow F1 driver Charles Leclerc that he might marry Donaldson in Las Vegas.
As a successful model, Donaldson has graced the covers of prestigious magazines like Vogue Ukraine and Marie Claire México
In early 2024, an emergency appendicitis surgery forced Sainz to take a break from racing. During his recovery, Donaldson provided unwavering support and was spotted in his hometown of Madrid.
Curious about Carlos Sainz’s girlfriend? Here’s a closer look at Rebecca Donaldson and her connection with the F1 star. Born in Scotland, Donaldson comes from Scone, a town located in central Scotland, and she is an alumna of the esteemed Perth Academy.
The school proudly claims on its website to be “possibly the oldest school in Scotland,” tracing its roots back to the Grammar School founded in Perth by the Benedictine monks of Dunfermline Abbey in the twelfth century.
As a model, Donaldson has established a successful career in the United Kingdom and is represented by Brand Model Management. She has appeared on the covers of Vogue Ukraine and Marie Claire México, as well as in various fashion and beauty editorials.
Her modeling journey began at the age of 17 when her mother entered her into a beauty pageant, surprising her with the news. In an interview with the Daily Record in 2011, Donaldson recounted, “My mom entered me and I was really surprised when I found out,” adding that she participated in rehearsals for catwalk-type dances in preparation for the competition.
After winning the Face of 2011 contest, Donaldson also competed in the reality series Top Model UK. Upon hearing the news of her victory, she expressed excitement, saying, “My family were all very pleased for me; they were jumping around and stuff!”
The couple first made public appearances together in June 2023 in Milan, where they maintained a low profile without displaying any public affection, as noted by Matthew J. Thompson on X (formerly Twitter).
By August 2023, their relationship seemed confirmed when they were spotted together on a golf course in Amsterdam, according to Essentially Sports. It appears that Donaldson has had the opportunity to meet Sainz’s family as well.
During Madrid Fashion Week in February 2024, she walked the runway while his family, including his sisters Ana and Blanca and mother Reyes, attended the event, as reported by Essentially Sports.
During the lockdown caused by COVID-19 in October 2020, Donaldson founded her activewear brand, Muse Activewear. Reflecting on that period in a 2021 interview with Vestd, she shared, “I was spending many days and hours during lockdown feeling a little purposeless,” which motivated her to pursue her dream of starting a clothing line.
She described her collection as “a diverse range of comfortable, supportive gym wear that can also transition to everyday use.” Donaldson elaborated that her brand embodies the minimalism trend known as ‘woke luxe,’ characterized by restrained designs and neutral, trans-seasonal color palettes.
Emphasizing her entrepreneurial spirit, Donaldson revealed in her interview with Vestd that she has “never had a 9 to 5 job,” finding greater fulfillment as a business owner. She mentioned, “I’ve part-time worked in that sort of role, however, I’ve only ever lasted around six months,” suggesting that this experience contributed to her decision to launch her own venture.
In the past, she worked on her laptop from bed, but she soon found it made her feel “very lethargic.” To enhance her productivity while working remotely, she advised, “finding a dedicated workspace in your home can help maintain focus and high productivity levels.”
Before dating Sainz, Donaldson had a brief relationship with Scott Disick, with whom she made her red carpet debut in April 2022 at the premiere of Hulu’s The Kardashians in Los Angeles.
The couple posed for photos, hand in hand, with Disick in a black suit and Donaldson in a striking one-shoulder green dress paired with heels. However, in June 2022, E! News reported that their relationship ended a few weeks prior.
Donaldson has been seen supporting Sainz at various racing events, including affectionate moments before the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico in October 2023. The couple was also spotted together ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas the following month.
In May 2024, she continued to cheer him on during qualifying rounds before the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco, where he finished third. Months later, she celebrated with him after his victory at the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico in October 2024.
