“He's a super humble, super approachable person” – F1 star Carlos Sainz on his 'best friend' Tadej Pogacar

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has opened up about his close friendship with cycling superstar Tadej Pogacar, fresh off the Slovenian’s extraordinary end to 2025, a run that saw him win the World Championships, the European Championships, and a fifth straight Il Lombardia in three consecutive weekends. On each occasion, poor Remco Evenepoel was left to settle for second.

Sainz, now in his first season with Williams after four years at Ferrari, told GP Blog that his bond with Pogacar has become one of his most genuine connections since moving to Monaco. “Yes, of those of us who live here in Monaco now, well, I'd say he's one of my best friends right now, one of the ones I see the most. We go out to dinner together a lot, we go cycling.”

The two have been spotted on café rides and coffee stops, though Sainz admits the pace is more Pogačar than pedestrian. “I always say, we don't go cycling, he goes cycling with me, because it's a different level of cycling, and we go for coffee, we go for focaccia, and we catch up, we talk about our sports. He's a big follower of mine and of Formula 1, and we have a great time, honestly.”

Their friendship has become a small but charming overlap between the worlds of motorsport and cycling, both athletes bonded by a shared respect for each other’s craft and mentality. Pogacar, now a double world champion and five-time Il Lombardia winner, continues to redefine dominance in his sport, Sainz, meanwhile, reached the podium at the recent Baku Grand Prix, securing Williams’ first top-three finish since 2021.

“I admire him so much because he's a super humble, super approachable person,” Sainz added. “He's a very down-to-earth guy, I don't know how to describe him. He's one of the best athletes I've ever met, and having the pleasure of being able to call him a friend now is incredible.”