In Pixar's Cars 3, what is the name of Lightning McQueen's new trainee?

In Pixar's Cars 3, Lightning McQueen's new trainee is Cruz Ramirez.

Cruz is a yellow sports coupe and a trained racing coach who initially works with Lightning at the Rust-eze Racing Center. She was designed as part of the film's generational contrast: Lightning is an established champion, while Cruz has racing ability that has not yet been fully recognized.

After a difficult training period, the relationship changes from coach-and-driver to mutual mentorship. Lightning helps Cruz pursue her own ambition, and Cruz ultimately competes in his place during the Florida 500. Her success provides the film's central answer to the question of what a racing legacy can become.

Cruz is sometimes mistaken for a replacement version of Sally Carrera, but the characters serve different roles. Sally is Lightning's Porsche friend and romantic interest in Radiator Springs; Cruz is the racer whose career develops in Cars 3.