Williams has announced that it has agreed on a deal with Carlos Sainz which will see him move to the team on a multi-year contract from the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Sainz’s prospects past the ongoing season had dominated the F1 driver market since it was announced that he would lose his current Ferrari drive to Lewis Hamilton.
The Spaniard was known to be deliberating over concrete proposals from Sauber as it prepares to transition into a works Audi entrant from 2026, Alpine and Williams.
Sainz has brought a long-awaited end to the protracted saga with the news that he will switch to Williams on a deal through 2026 which will contain options to extend.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards,” Sainz expressed.
“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.
“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.
“I want to thank James Vowles and the entire Board of Williams for their trust and determination.
“Their solid leadership and convictions have played an important role in my decision-making.
“I truly believe that the core of every successful team lies amongst their people and their culture.
“Williams is synonymous with heritage and pure racing, the foundations of the project that lies ahead of us are very strong and
I am really looking forward to being part of it starting next year.”
Williams boss James Vowles repeated over the weekend that Sainz remained his top target as he desires to return the team back towards the sharp end in the sport.
The Grove-based squad languishes in ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship, but Vowles has been adamant the team is “serious” about returning to the front.
Sainz will come in next to incumbent Alex Albon, who’s been at Williams since 2022 and signed a multi-term contract renewal to remain with the side earlier this term.
Vowles added: “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.
“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.
“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 organisation’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.
“I also want to thank Logan for everything he has done for the team and know he will continue to fight hard for us in the races ahead.”
Sainz’s prospects in 2025 being resolved means Logan Sargeant will not enter a third season with Williams and is set to have ramifications elsewhere across the grid.
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