The summer break has only just begun but silly season is in full swing across Formula 1 as Carlos Sainz confirms he will be driving for Williams from 2025.
The Spaniard announced he would be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season to make way for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
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But his next move was widely unknown for some time as he weighed up his options.
Alpine and Sauber – who will become Audi in 2026 – were both reportedly interested in the 29-year-old but in the end, Sainz chose one of the most iconic teams in the sport.
He posted a video on social media, saying: “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.”
Sainz may have been holding out to see if there was an opening at Red Bull, with Sergio Perez under increasing pressure after struggling to perform alongside Max Verstappen.
BREAKING: Carlos Sainz to join Williams Racing from 2025#F1 PIC.TWITTER.COM/3O3ROHREES
— Formula 1 (@F1) JULY 29, 2024
He has won three grands prix since joining Ferrari in 2021, but he was unable to win favour over Charles Leclerc, who will partner Hamilton.
Sainz was convinced of the Williams project by team principal James Vowles, who left Mercedes last year to take up the leading role at the British team.
He 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.”
Sainz will join Alex Albon at the team and it likely means the end of his time in Formula 1 for Logan Sargeant.
Vowles added: “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.
Presenting the @WILLIAMSRACING line-up for 2025 and beyond 🤩#F1 PIC.TWITTER.COM/I3OOAVEVQP
— Formula 1 (@F1) JULY 29, 2024
“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 [owner] Dorilton’s backing we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid.”
