Carlos Sainz: no contract signed for 2025, dismisses Williams speculation

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Sainz denies Williams contract amid future uncertainty.

MONTREAL, Canada -- Carlos Sainz has firmly denied reports claiming he has signed a contract with Williams for 2025, dismissing the rumors circulating in Spain as mere speculation. The Spanish driver, whose future has been a topic of interest ever since Ferrari confirmed his departure to make way for Lewis Hamilton next season, remains undecided about his next move in Formula 1.

While rumors of Sainz's move to Williams have gained traction, the driver clarified his position during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, stating that no deal has been finalized.

"The only thing I can tell you is there is nothing locked in," Sainz told the media. "I've seen reports, I don't know if it's in Spain, people saying I've signed. I look at those things and it makes me laugh because I remember seeing reports three months ago that I had signed for Mercedes, reports that I had signed for Red Bull. Now obviously those places are not going to happen."

The speculation around Sainz's future intensified further on Monday, when Red Bull confirmed that Sergio Perez would remain with the team for two more years. While this announcement closed yet another potential door for the Spaniard, Sainz said he was well aware of Perez's contract extension "for a long time now."

With top-tier teams like Red Bull and Mercedes out of the picture, Williams remains a viable option for Sainz. However, the driver insists that no decision has been made yet and that he is looking for more than just short-term success in his next team. The upcoming regulation changes in 2026, which could dramatically alter the competitive landscape, are also playing a significant role in his decision-making process.

Sainz emphasized that his choice will be based on long-term potential, not just immediate competitiveness.

"I will put everything into perspective and I will seriously consider everything in that contract that I sign," Sainz explained. "I'm still a firm believer that in Formula One, to be successful, you need a medium-to-long-term project. I don't think you are ever going to be successful going somewhere for a year to win, and then leave. I think you need a proper project for those things to happen."

Sainz is eyeing the 2025 to 2028 period as an opportunity to join a team with strong growth prospects. With the regulation overhaul in 2026, the competitive balance could shift, making it difficult to predict which teams will dominate in the coming years.

"It looks impossible for me to predict who's going to be competitive," Sainz admitted. "I know right now you guys see it in quite a dramatic perspective not being in a competitive car for '25 or '26, but I think '26 is going to be such a turnaround that maybe the future holds something really positive out there for me."

Despite the uncertainty, Sainz remains optimistic about the future, insisting that he will be transparent about his plans when the time comes.

"When I have something to announce, you guys will be the first to know," he concluded.

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