It has finally occurred: the cork has burst free from the bottle. Surprisingly, it was when everyone had turned their attention elsewhere that the stopper suddenly popped out and landed squarely in the lap of James Vowles. Carlos Sainz has officially joined Williams for the 2025 season and beyond, bringing an end to an unending saga filled with speculation, insinuation, and repetitive associations and rejections.
The Spaniard unexpectedly became a free agent for the upcoming season when Ferrari dropped the bombshell that Lewis Hamilton will team up with Charles Leclerc, thereby inadvertently taking the spotlight in the chaotic driver market. As expected, there were plenty of teams eager to secure his services, particularly among the midfield teams in pursuit of a potential gem.
Sainz had been a name associated with available seats at both Red Bull and Mercedes, boasting a trio of victories and renowned for his strategic mind and tactical prowess during races. With nearly a decade in F1, he has proven capable of holding his own against the likes of Max Verstappen during their time together at Toro Rosso, leading McLaren with a then-rookie Lando Norris, and matching Leclerc during their tenure at Ferrari. It’s clear he is a driver who consistently measures up against F1’s elite.
It is no wonder that Williams pursued Sainz and, as soon as it became evident that the Madrid-born driver was on the market, Vowles was determined to bring him onboard. However, it might not be an exaggeration to say that securing his services required some effort.
Once Sainz’s unexpected availability for 2025 came to light, Sauber was quick to reach out. The Swiss team is eagerly anticipating its transition to Audi in 2026 and made Sainz a lucrative offer to join Nico Hulkenberg, aiming to make a statement as they prepare for the new regulation era.
Nonetheless, Sainz was never entirely convinced by the Sauber offer. The team has been in decline, merely treading water while it braces for the 2026 transition. Audi had to expedite the acquisition process when it became apparent that former owner Finn Rausing would not reinvest in a team he wouldn’t own for long.
Sainz was never especially convinced by the prospect of joining the Sauber team that will morph into Audi
Photo by: Mark Sutton
Even with his father Carlos Sainz Sr winning this year’s Dakar Rally with Audi, Sainz The Younger had many more avenues to consider when Sauber first approached him. There was the opportunity to take Hamilton’s old seat at Mercedes, for example. Red Bull had yet to renew Sergio Perez’s deal, while Aston Martin could have seen Sainz as a potential candidate if Fernando Alonso decided to seek opportunities with a race-winning team.
Were these just pipe dreams? Maybe. The situation grew clearer once Alonso committed to another two years with Aston Martin and Red Bull confirmed Perez’s position for 2025 and beyond.
Mercedes appeared less viable too, as young star Andrea Kimi Antonelli has long been identified as the team’s future alongside George Russell. The 17-year-old has been seen as integral to the team’s ambitions, and team principal Toto Wolff’s preference for Antonelli was influenced by his previous inability to provide Verstappen with a concrete path to F1 back in 2014. For Sainz, Mercedes might have only represented a temporary option, posing a risk of becoming sidelined if the anticipated Antonelli signing was delayed until 2026.
Sainz was much more impressed by the strategic plan laid out by Williams. Vowles has begun to implement his vision, and owners Dorilton Capital will continue to back it.
Upon approaching Sainz, Williams’ Vowles had a compelling vision to pitch – one he effectively conveyed through his meticulous communication style. At first glance, it seemed less appealing than the Audi offer: given their respective financial standings, Sainz’s agreement with Williams would undoubtedly be less lucrative.
While Audi presented a factory team opportunity, Williams will remain a Mercedes customer team until at least 2030. Furthermore, based on Vowles’ interviews in the past 18 months, it’s clear that the Grove facility still requires investment to make any serious progress beyond the lower end of the grid.
However, Sainz found the battle plan presented by Williams far more attractive. The Audi preparations for 2026 have long been characterized by a perceived stagnation, highlighted by internal discord between Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann. In contrast, Vowles has set his plan into motion with active support from owners Dorilton Capital.
On Sunday, Vowles expressed his confidence in securing Sainz’s signature with the odds being “out of 100, more than 50%—how’s that for confidence?” He noted that the chances looked favorable, but acknowledged previous setbacks during the year when Williams had almost finalized an agreement before Alpine intervened with a last-minute bid for Sainz.
Despite the scale of the rebuilding efforts facing Williams, Sainz has been impressed by the vision put forward by Vowles
Photo by: Williams
The stagnant state of the French team had lifted when they realized that Esteban Ocon would not be continuing with them. Contrary to what social media rumors hinted, Ocon and the team reached a mutual agreement.
Ocon grew frustrated with Alpine’s poor start to the 2024 season and felt disregarded when it came to driver feedback. Meanwhile, team principal Bruno Famin was fatigued by the fraught relationship with Pierre Gasly. Flavio Briatore, having returned to the team due to Renault CEO Luca de Meo’s invitation, sought to shake things up and questioned why a potentially top-tier driver like Sainz wasn’t considered as Ocon’s replacement.
Briatore envisioned a grand plan for Alpine: abandon the Renault power unit for the 2026 season and pursue a customer deal with Mercedes, facilitated by an overhaul of the technical structure led by David Sanchez, who recently left McLaren.
This proposal captivated Sainz enough to slow down the discussions with Williams, causing delays in his decision as he preferred not to make a choice during a trio of back-to-back races. Additional complications arose, showing on Vowles’ usually composed face.
Red Bull extended Perez’s contract, believing he could bounce back from a string of lackluster performances. Still, Mercedes re-emerged as a contender when Antonelli struggled during F2, raising questions about his readiness for F1 after jumping from Formula Regional.
Subsequently, Vowles had to reopen negotiations with other candidates. Valtteri Bottas was initially in the frame should Sainz not join, although his lackluster season with Sauber created hurdles. Additionally, reservations about Ocon turned moot when he signed a deal with Haas for 2025, taking him out of the running.
Sainz’s final decision appeared to boil down to a choice between Williams and Alpine. In contrast to Alpine’s uncertain future, Williams offered stability rooted in a consistent direction and identity. The transition towards a quasi-manufacturer model for Alpine hinted at a business strategy driven by an eventual sale due to insufficient brand strength within the Renault Group. Despite Briatore’s allure, his influence had been limited by timing, and the departing Famin’s charm was no match for Briatore.
Uncertainty over the Alpine team’s direction meant it was not as appealing a destination for Sainz
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Ultimately, Sainz finalized his agreement with Williams. The team has characterized this as a two-year contract with extensions available, and Vowles has denied rumors that the deal includes an escape clause for a top team.
So why did Sainz choose Williams? Vowles set the context nicely on Sunday, the day before Sainz’s confirmation: “Here’s what he told me, which resonated with me: ‘The reason why I’m doing this is when I commit, I need to commit with all my heart and my soul, 100% – and to do that means I can’t have any doubts’. And that’s why he’s taking the time.”
Among potential projects, Williams offers one of the most compelling stories, with Vowles strategizing a return to competitiveness that harks back to its last championship in 1997. He has provided Sainz with a chance to play a vital role in this ambitious resurgence, rehabilitating a storied team that nearly fell into oblivion like Lotus and Brabham.
Albon will significantly benefit from Sainz’s presence in the Williams camp, and the team will gain from his extensive knowledge and experience to improve their performance.
The value Sainz brings to Williams is apparent, being one of the top six or seven drivers in talent alone. He will serve as a benchmark for the team, enabling an assessment of Alex Albon’s performance in the other car while providing competition that was lacking against Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant. Sainz’s presence will greatly enhance Albon’s growth, and the team can utilize his extensive insights to advance towards the upper echelons of the F1 hierarchy.
Sainz’s move will set off a chain reaction in the driver market: the fate of one seat at Mercedes, a spot at Red Bull, and the vacancy at Sauber alongside Hulkenberg remain in the balance. Bottas is most likely to feel the pinch from Sainz’s transition to Williams, potentially prompting Sauber to extend his contract for the foreseeable future. And as for Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, or even Perez, we might see developments unfold soon…
How F1’s remaining driver market puzzle pieces fall into place is set to be a point of intrigue over the coming weeks
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
