Carlos Sainz will join Williams Racing on a “multi-year” contract starting next season, following his departure from Ferrari. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who has been with Ferrari since 2021, will be replacing his seat as the team has decided to sign Lewis Hamilton for next year.
Sainz had several options, including Alpine and Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory team in 2026, but he chose Williams over these alternatives.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the move, Sainz said, “I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey. I am extremely proud to join such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes once drove and left their mark on the sport.”
He added, “The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to the front of the grid is a challenge 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.”
Sainz has won three Grand Prix since joining Ferrari, but the team’s commitment to his teammate Charles Leclerc and the opportunity to sign Hamilton led to his departure. Red Bull recently extended Sergio Perez’s contract until the end of 2026, and while Mercedes aims to attract Max Verstappen from Red Bull for 2026, they are set to promote 17-year-old Italian talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton alongside George Russell next season.
With Red Bull and Mercedes set on different strategies, Sainz opted for Williams, a team he believes has the potential to advance significantly in the coming years. Despite Audi’s interest, Sainz chose Williams for its potential growth and development.
Williams team principal James Vowles, who joined from Mercedes at the start of the previous season, hailed the signing as a significant step forward. “Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties,” Vowles said. “Carlos has proven himself as one of the most talented drivers on the grid with race-winning capabilities. His experience, performance, and relentless drive make him a perfect fit for our team.”
Sainz will join Alex Albon, who is also under a multi-year contract with Williams. Vowles expressed confidence in the driver lineup, stating, “In Alex and Carlos, we will have one of the most formidable driver pairings on the grid, with substantial experience to guide us into the new regulations in 2026. Their belief in our mission underscores the significant work being done behind the scenes.”
This move likely signals the end of Logan Sargeant’s F1 career. The American driver, who has been with Williams since 2023, has struggled to match Albon’s performance and appears unlikely to secure a seat for next season.
Reported By BBC Sports.
