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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is to join Williams next season on what the team calls a “multi-year” contract.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 29-year-old Spaniard has lost his seat at Ferrari after the team decided to sign Lewis Hamilton, who arrives next year.<\/p>\n
Sainz has picked Williams over other opportunities at Alpine and Sauber, which will become Audi’s factory effort in 2026.<\/p>\n
Sainz said: “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.”<\/p>\n
Sainz, whose hopes of joining another top team from Ferrari were stymied when Red Bull and Mercedes made clear they would be looking elsewhere, added: “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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Red Bull re-signed Sergio Perez until the end of 2026 two months ago, and although the Mexican is at risk of being dropped after a disappointing run of form, the team did not want to put Sainz alongside Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n
Mercedes have set their sights on convincing Verstappen to join them from Red Bull, which if it happens is most likely to be for 2026.<\/p>\n
And they are poised to promote their 17-year-old Italian talent Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton alongside George Russell next year.<\/p>\n
Sainz was left with a choice of three teams who are currently either in the midfield, in the case of Williams and Alpine, or at the very back, in the case of Sauber.<\/p>\n
And he has chosen Williams as the most likely to progress in the coming years, even over Audi, who had made him their main target to lead their team.<\/p>\n
Team principal James Vowles, who joined from Mercedes at the start of last season charged with turning the team into front-runners, said: “Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Sainz will join British-born Thai Alex Albon, who is also on a multi-year contract.<\/p>\n
“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,” Vowles said.<\/p>\n
“Their belief in this organisation\u2019s mission demonstrates the magnitude of the work going on behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
“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\u2019s backing we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid.”<\/p>\n
The decision likely means the end of the F1 career of American Logan Sargeant, who has been with Williams since 2023.<\/p>\n
Sargeant, who has been comprehensively out-performed by Albon in their 18 months together, looks unlikely to earn another seat next season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n