Carlos Sainz has signed a two-year deal with Williams Racing, securing his seat for the 2025 and 2026 Formula 1 season. This move follows a turbulent driver market where Sainz was unexpectedly replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton. Despite interest from Alpine and Sauber/Audi, it was the ambitious project led by Williams team principal James Vowles that convinced Sainz to join. He will race alongside Alex Albon as Williams enters a new era with major regulatory changes, including new aerodynamic concepts and sustainable fuel. Sainz's signing is a significant win for Williams, who faced strong competition for the highly regarded driver.
Carlos Sainz said: 'I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. 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.'
Williams' Team Principal James Vowles: "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.
F1: Remaining Seats for 2025
Carlos Sainz's decision to join Williams has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 driver market. Alpine remains in search of a second driver to partner Pierre Gasly for the 2025 season, while Mercedes seeks a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull, meanwhile, must navigate its complex driver lineup. These are the remaining major pieces of the 2025 driver puzzle.
The Spaniard reportedly turned down a lucrative offer from the ambitious Sauber/Audi project, significantly boosting Valtteri Bottas' chances of retaining his seat, assuming the new team principal, Mattia Binotto, wants to keep him.
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Audi's entry into Formula 1 with Sauber has proven to be a challenging endeavour. The team's struggles this season, culminating in a points-less campaign, have been well-documented. Internal issues at Audi, coupled with a confirmed organizational overhaul, have only added to the uncertainty surrounding the project. The contrast between the tumultuous situation at Sauber/Audi and the stability and ambition showcased by Williams was a significant factor in Carlos Sainz's decision.
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