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Carlos Sainz Reveals the Subtle Perks of Being Famous

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 4:40 AM ET

Carlos Sainz may be one of the most recognizable faces in Formula 1 and he admitted that he uses his fame to get things sometimes.

During the Sky Sports Lie Detector Test, Sainz was asked if he ever uses his celebrity status to get something for free. While he denied doing it directly, the Spaniard didn’t shy away from admitting that sometimes, a little name recognition goes a long way.

“I try not to do it myself,” he explained. “Sometimes when you really want to go to a restaurant and it’s a just a bit last-minute and they don’t have space, I tell my friend, ‘Use the card.’”

The “card” in this case? Dropping his name. “They call and they say, ‘Look, in reality, the table is for Carlos.’ And most of the time, it works,” he laughed. “So it’s just… we use the free card.”

Sainz, 30, has become a fan favorite not just for his performances on track, but also for his affable, down-to-earth personality off it. This moment of honesty struck a chord with fans, many of whom appreciated the humor and humility in the admission.

Despite the access that comes with being a top-tier athlete, Sainz made it clear that fame isn’t something he exploits regularly. The comment offered a rare look into the everyday perks of life as a Formula 1 star—where even a fully booked restaurant can suddenly find space when a driver’s name is mentioned.

Carlos took the skysports lie detector test and they asked him if he's hoping ferrari will regret their decision

his laugh pic.twitter.com/1KdSgqZPD9
— ana (@sextappen) March 9, 2025

In a sport known for its glitz and exclusivity, Sainz’s “F1 card” moment is a reminder that even the most grounded drivers occasionally enjoy the benefits that come with their world-class status.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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