Carlos Sainz has officially signed with Williams Racing for 2025 F1 putting an end to rumours and speculation over his future.
In a landmark move for both Carlos Sainz Jr. and Williams Racing, the Spanish driver has officially signed a two-year contract to join the team for 2025 F1 season and beyond, replacing American Logan Sargeant who will leave the team at the end of the season.
Sainz will join Alex Albon to round out the Williams lineup for next season, but will remain under contract in 2026 with options to extend the deal further, signaling a long-term commitment between the driver and the team.
The announcement which was made on July 29, 2024, concludes months of speculation regarding Sainz’s future following his departure from Scuderia Ferrari, where he was set to be replaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Spaniard has built an impressive resume in Formula 1, with three race victories and 23 podium finishes to date. His most recent triumph came at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year, where he showcased remarkable resilience by winning just ten days after undergoing surgery for appendicitis.
He currently sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, a testament to his skill and consistency throughout the season.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards,” Sainz said. “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,” the 29-year old added. “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 had thought its chance of signing Sainz had disappeared with Alpine‘s surprise offer to the Spaniard around the time of his home race at Barcelona last month, but, after team boss James Vowles suggested over the Belgian GP last weekend that he was confident of securing Sainz’s services after all, the deal has finally been done.
“Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties,” Vowles said. “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 [Williams owner] 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.”
Williams Racing has a storied history in Formula 1, but recent seasons have seen the team struggle to maintain competitiveness. Their last podium finish was in 2021, and their most recent victory dates back to 2012.
However, with Vowles at the helm as Team Principal, Williams is focused on a strategic plan to restore its former glory. Sainz’s experience in top-tier teams and his proven track record will be invaluable as the Grove-based outfit seeks to make significant strides in the highly competitive F1 landscape.
Moreover, Sainz’s arrival is anticipated to attract additional sponsorship and investment opportunities for Williams. The presence of a high-profile driver can enhance a team’s marketability, potentially leading to increased financial support.
This influx of resources could be instrumental in accelerating the development of the car and improving overall performance.
