Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles has revealed Carlos Sainz was behind the decision to disclose his exact contract length with the team from the 2025 season.
The Grove-based squad announced one week ago that it has beaten both Alpine and the Sauber/Audi venture to win the contest to acquire the outgoing Ferrari driver.
Sainz harboured aspirations to continue at the sharp end, but his hopes diminished as Red Bull shut the door on a return while Mercedes’ interest was never concrete.
But having deliberated over the proposals on the table for a considerable time, Sainz has elected to pledge his prospects on the Williams rebuild Vowles is overseeing.
Although a recent trend has seen teams tending to avoid publishing how long a driver has committed to a side, Williams stated Sainz has signed a deal through 2026.
“The message that 25 and 26 and beyond did not come from myself. That came from Carlos,” Vowles told media including Motorsport Week.
“He wanted it to be abundantly clear to all of you, to the world, that he is committed and this is where he wants to be.”
Sainz made it known on several occasions earlier in the campaign that he was courting a place with a team that could deliver him a title-winning car in the short term.
However, Vowles has denied the Spaniard’s contract will comprise exit clauses which will enable him to make a premature exit should a top team pursue his services.
“So, there are precisely 10 people in the world that know what the interior and the contract holds, 10,” he added.
“And I guarantee you, none of you on the call are it. No one in this company is it, and they particularly sat around me at the moment.
“But Carlos, Caco [Carlos Oñoro Sainz] and I know what’s inside that. So, anything you’ve read on the internet is speculation, and that is it.”
Sainz cited prior to the news in Belgium that he would rather use his assets to inspire a team lower down the grid to climb up the order rather than sit on the sidelines.
“Sabbatical is not even in my head,” he outlined. “I’m happy in Formula 1.
“I love Formula 1 and I would rather go down to a midfield team and use my skill, in the peak of my career, to try and help a midfield team to find the right way than taking a year off or being third driver for anyone, you know. I’m competitive and I know I can still bring to a midfield team that side of me.”
