After months of considering his future, highly-rated Carlos Sainz has opted to join Williams for the 2025 season after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton next season and also had offers from Alpine and Audi-owned Sauber.
Monday 29 July 2024 16:05 UK
Williams has signed outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz on a two-year contract for the 2025 F1 season.
Sainz had been in the running for the 2025 seat after Ferrari announced in February that they would replace him with Lewis Hamilton next year.
Ambitious Williams have made a major push to sign three-time race winner Sainz to partner Alex Albon, with the Grove-based team beating Alpine and Sauber to the task, with the Spaniard agreeing a contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with an option to extend beyond that.
He will replace American Logan Sargent as Albon’s teammate, creating one of F1’s strongest driver line-ups.
Williams team principal James Bowles described Sainz’s signing as a “strong statement of intent”.
Sainz, who has been with Ferrari since 2021, said: “I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards.”
“It’s no secret that this year’s driver market has been very complicated for a variety of reasons, which is why I’ve taken time to announce my decision.
“However, I am convinced that Williams is the right place for me to continue my Formula 1 journey and I am incredibly proud to be joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes have driven and influenced the sport in the past.”
“The ultimate goal of returning Williams to where it belongs – at the front of the grid – is a challenge that I approach with excitement and positivity. I am confident that the team has all the ingredients it needs to make history again. Starting from 1 January, together with all my team members, I will do everything in my power to drive Williams forward.”
Carlos Sainz and Frédéric Vasseur celebrate Ferrari’s big win in Australia!
Sainz was seen as a possible replacement for Hamilton at Mercedes and had also been linked with Red Bull, but ultimately appears set to have to choose between Alpine, Williams or the Sauber team that will become Audi in 2026.
More to come…
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