By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Carlos Sainz will race for Williams in Formula 1 next year in what the team has described as a deal that goes into the championship’s new rules era in 2026.
Sainz will leave Ferrari at the end of theyear to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
He has picked Williams over other opportunities at Alpine and Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory effort in 2026.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards,” said Sainz. “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.”
Vowles said: “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.
Sainz will join British-born Thai Alex Albon, who is also on a multi-year contract.
“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.”
Sainz has won three grands prix since joining Ferrari in 2021, but the team have long been committed to his team-mate Charles Leclerc as their main hope for the future, and Sainz lost out when an opportunity to sign Hamilton arose over last winter.
The decision likely means the end of the F1 career of American Logan Sargeant, who has been with Williams since 2023.