Carlos Sainz joins Williams with multi-year deal from 2025

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Sainz makes dramatic shift from Ferrari to Williams

In a significant move that ends months of speculation, Ferrari star Carlos Sainz will join Williams starting in 2025, as announced by the team on Monday. The Spanish driver has cemented a multi-year deal with Williams, aligning with the team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with an additional option year beyond that.

"Excited to announce Williams deal" – Sainz

Carlos Sainz expressed his enthusiasm for the move, which sees him transitioning from the storied Ferrari team. "I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards," Sainz remarked. "It is no secret that this year's driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision. However, 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."

Sainz, who has won three F1 races including this year's Australian Grand Prix, is poised to bring his skill and experience to Williams. His future had been uncertain since Ferrari signed Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton for next season.

A new chapter for Williams, and farewell Logan Sargeant

Commenting on the signing, Williams team principal James Vowles emphasized the strategic importance of Sainz's addition. "Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties," Vowles 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 upward 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."

Vowles added that the combination of Sainz and current Williams driver Alex Albon forms one of the most formidable line-ups on the grid. "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. 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 Dorilton's backing we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid."

With Sainz joining, American driver Logan Sargeant will exit the team at the end of the current season. Vowles expressed gratitude for Sargeant's contributions. "I also want to thank Logan for everything he has done for the team and know he will continue to fight hard for us in the races ahead."

Sainz's transition to Williams marks a pivotal moment for both the team and the driver, igniting hopes of bringing Williams back to the forefront of Formula 1 competition.

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