The Italian Grand Prix delivered more than just roaring engines and speed this weekend—it served up a slice of tense racing drama when Carlos Sainz Jr found himself spinning out in the middle of a heated battle with Haas rookie Oliver Bearman.
The incident, which happened in the closing laps at Monza, left spectators and even Sainz’s girlfriend, Rebecca Donaldson, holding her head in concern.
Wheel-to-Wheel Action Turns Chaotic
The clash unfolded during the final 12 laps as Sainz, driving for Williams, battled Bearman for 13th place.
Approaching turn four, the rookie Bearman attempted a daring move down the inside.
Their cars made contact—Bearman’s front wing hit Sainz’s Williams—sending both spinning across the tarmac and scattering debris in their wake.
Remarkably, both drivers regained control within seconds and rejoined the race, but crucial positions were lost to Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls, who capitalized on the chaos.
A Supportive Partner Watches From the Paddock
While Sainz kept his focus on the track, his partner Rebecca Donaldson couldn’t hide her worry.
Cameras caught her in the Williams garage, hands on her head, reacting to the frightening spin.
Though the couple generally keeps their relationship private, Donaldson has been seen cheering Sainz on at multiple races, including Australia, Monaco, and now Italy.
The pair first went public in June 2023, and she made a striking appearance at Monza in a white dress, turning heads in the paddock.
From Pageants to Fashion to Racing Paddocks
Donaldson’s career has been as dynamic as her boyfriend’s race days.
She began modeling after winning a beauty pageant at 17 while attending Perth Academy and has graced the covers of Vogue and Marie Claire.
Her fashion credentials include launching her own activewear brand, Muse, in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to create stylish, functional clothing that filled a gap in the market.
Her social media interactions with Sainz—commenting on each other’s posts—hint at their close bond, even if they don’t post pictures together.
Fans first spotted signs of a relationship when she walked at Madrid Fashion Week in front of Sainz’s family, and their romance has quietly flourished since then.
Verstappen Dominates the Italian Grand Prix
While Sainz’s mid-pack drama grabbed attention, four-time world champion Max Verstappen stole the show at the front.
The Dutch driver took victory in commanding fashion, finishing 19.2 seconds ahead of the competition.
Even Verstappen wasn’t free of excitement, as the opening laps saw him clash with Lando Norris.
A tense moment at the first chicane, Rettifilo, had Norris venting frustration as Verstappen cut the corner to retake the lead.
After temporarily giving the place back, Verstappen made a decisive move on lap four to cement his victory—his first since Imola in May.
Monza Delivers Excitement From Start to Finish
From spins in the mid-pack to battles at the front, the Italian Grand Prix had it all this weekend.
Fans witnessed everything from rookie daring moves to championship-winning mastery, all set against the iconic Monza backdrop.
And while Verstappen celebrated his win, the drama surrounding Sainz and Bearman reminded everyone why Formula 1 is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.