F1, Sainz stays at Williams
Carlos Sainz will continue his adventure in F1 with Williams. The Spanish driver has signed a new multi-year agreement with the British team, as announced a few moments ago by the Grove team, confirming the desire to continue together the path started in 2025.
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The confirmation of Sainz comes the day after that of Alex Albon: despite the difficulties of the team shown in the presentation and development of the FW48, team principal James Vowles managed to convince the drivers of the goodness of the Williams project.
Sainz’s words
“I am excited to announce that I will continue my journey with Williams! I firmly believe in the people who make up this team, both in the factory and on track, and in the investments and hard work that are carried out behind the scenes. We have everything it takes to turn things around together. I am as determined as I was on day one to help Williams return to its rightful place,” said Sainz.
Vowles’ words
“From the moment he joined the team, Carlos’s talent behind the wheel and his dedication in the factory have been extremely valuable for this project: he works day after day with his engineers to gain every millisecond. He is a leader of this team and I am excited that he can see its potential,” added Vowles. “Carlos shares Williams’ ambition and commits every day to achieving it. Together with Alex, I believe we have one of the strongest line-ups on the starting grid.”
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While Albon’s renewal was predictable, in Sainz’s case the extension was not at all certain. In recent months, tensions have arisen within the team due to a low-performing car, with Sainz perhaps feeling betrayed by the team after a sharply improving 2025. What made the difference, as in the move from Ferrari to Williams, was the lack of alternatives: the top teams are already set (and even if they were not, Sainz would not have been the first choice given the difficult start to the season). The only outlet that, in the long term, could have represented a step up for Sainz was Aston Martin, but Lawrence Stroll’s team runs with one seat and that will be Fernando Alonso’s as long as the Spaniard wants to continue in F1.
Sainz’s extension with Williams finally closes the doors of Grove to Sergio Perez. The Mexican had been linked to James Vowles’ team precisely because of the uncertainty about the future of the former Ferrari driver.
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