It’s been quite an eventful weekend in the wonderful world of Formula 1. Rumors about Carlos Sainz Jr. joining Williams started making the rounds as the Belgian Grand Prix unfolded. Now—as the news of George Russell’s disqualification simmers down—Sainz’s move is official.
Williams has announced that the Spanish racing driver has signed a two-year contract with options to extend. Sainz will be racing alongside Thai-British racing driver Alex Albon and will be wearing the number 55.
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Sainz has a decade worth of Formula 1 experience to his name, with multiple race wins for Scuderia Ferrari—one of which being the only win in 2023 that wasn’t by anyone from Red Bull Racing. That’s something to brag about, isn’t it?
Sainz Jr.’s departure from Ferrari has been the subject of a lot of discussions after seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton confirmed his transfer to The Prancing Horse after the end of this season. At least now, there won’t be any question marks on whether or not Sainz will still be having a seat at the grid next year.
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. 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,” said Sainz. “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. 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 alongside every single member of the team.
“Williams is synonymous with heritage and pure racing, the foundations of the project that lies ahead of us are very strong and I am really looking forward to being part of it starting next year.”
“Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties,” said Williams Racing team principal James Vowles. “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. 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.”
What do you expect to see from Sainz in the coming season, F1 fans?
