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Carlos Sainz has committed his future to Williams Racing, signing a two-year contract starting from 2025, with options to extend. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who recently won his third Formula 1 race in Melbourne, faced a challenging decision after being left without a seat when Ferrari signed Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Sainz, previously linked with Alpine, Sauber/Audi, and Mercedes, ultimately chose Williams.
"I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards," Sainz stated. "It is no secret that this year's driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision. However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport."
Williams' team principal, James Vowles, expressed his enthusiasm about securing Sainz, who will replace Logan Sargeant. "Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties. Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upwards trajectory we are on," Vowles said. "Carlos brings not just experience and performance, but also a fierce drive to extract every millisecond out of the team and car; the fit is perfect."
With Sainz and Alex Albon as the driver lineup, Vowles believes Williams will have one of the strongest teams on the grid. "In Alex and Carlos, we will have one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid and with huge experience to guide us into the new regulations in 2026. Their belief in this organization's mission demonstrates the magnitude of the work going on behind the scenes. People should be in no doubt about our ambition and momentum as we continue our journey back to competitiveness – we are here, we are serious, and with Dorilton's backing, we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid."
Sainz expressed his readiness for the challenge, stating, "The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity. I am convinced that this team has all the right ingredients to make history again and starting on January 1, I will give my absolute best to drive Williams forward alongside every single member of the team." As Sainz steps into his new role, the future looks promising for Williams Racing.
