Carlos Sainz is set to join Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 season, marking a significant move as the team prepares for the championship’s new regulatory era in 2026.
After it was announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton joining the Scuderia alongside Charles Leclerc, Sainz has carefully considered his next steps.
Williams initially believed that their chances of signing Sainz had dwindled following a surprising offer from Alpine around the time of the Barcelona Grand Prix last month. However, team principal James Vowles expressed optimism about securing Sainz’s services over the Belgian GP weekend, leading to the completion of the deal.
On Monday afternoon, Williams issued a statement welcoming Carlos Sainz to the team for 2025, 2026, and beyond.
Sainz will take over from Logan Sargeant, partnering with Alex Albon in the upcoming season. Williams also expressed gratitude towards Sargeant for his dedication over the past two years and stated that they would support him as he aims to continue his racing career beyond 2025.
This announcement, along with Vowles’ subsequent confirmation, indicates that Sargeant will maintain his position through the upcoming season, countering earlier rumors about mid-season changes.
“I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards,” said Sainz.
“This year’s driver market has been incredibly complex for various reasons, which is why it has taken me some time to make my decision.
“Nevertheless, I am entirely confident that Williams is the right environment for me to continue my F1 journey, and I take great pride in joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes have made their mark in our sport.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
Photo by: Ferrari
“My ultimate goal is to help bring Williams back to its rightful place at the front of the grid, and I embrace this challenge with excitement and optimism.
“I believe this team possesses all the right elements to make history once more, and starting January 1, I will dedicate myself to advancing Williams alongside everyone in the team.”
“I want to extend my gratitude to James Vowles and the entire Williams board for their trust and determination. Their strong leadership has been a significant factor in my decision.”
“I genuinely believe that the foundation of every successful team lies within its people and culture.
“Williams embodies heritage and pure racing; the project ahead is grounded in solid foundations, and I can’t wait to be a part of it next year.”
Vowles commented, “Carlos joining Williams is a powerful statement from both sides. He has consistently shown that he is one of the grid’s most talented drivers with a race-winning history, underscoring the positive trajectory we are on.
“Carlos brings not only experience and performance but also an unwavering desire to extract every millisecond from the team and the car; it’s a perfect fit.
“With Alex and Carlos, we will boast one of the most formidable driver pairings in the grid, equipped with vast experience as we navigate the new regulations in 2026.
“Their belief in our mission highlights the significant work occurring behind the scenes.
“There should be no doubt about our ambition and momentum as we strive to return to competitiveness – we are committed, serious about our goals, and with the backing of [Williams owner] Dorilton, we are investing in what is necessary to reclaim our position at the front.”
“I also want to express my gratitude to Logan for all his contributions to the team, and I am confident he will continue to fight for us in the upcoming races.”
By signing with Williams, Sainz has opted out of what was reportedly a lucrative deal from Sauber/Audi, where he had long been a top candidate.
This decision increases the likelihood that Sauber will retain Valtteri Bottas – a target for Williams if they had not secured Sainz – in 2025, pending the new team principal Mattia Binotto’s intentions.
Alpine is still searching for a second driver to partner with Pierre Gasly for 2025, while Mercedes is assessing its options for Hamilton’s replacement, and Red Bull is currently evaluating its complex driver line-up situation.
The suggestion that Sainz’s agreement with Williams might include a break clause for 2026, contingent on vacancies at top teams reopening next year, was reportedly dismissed by Vowles during a press interaction at Spa last weekend.
