F1 driver market set to unlock as Sainz commits to Williams for long term

Sainz has made his mind up – finally!

Carlos Sainz has made up his mind and committed to the Williams Formula 1 team with a long term deal that should take him beyond 2026 with the Grove outfit – ensuring that other vacant seats can now be filled.

The news comes as little surprise after bullish statements to the media from James Vowles in Spa suggested that the deal was set be announced soon.

After weeks of examining his options Sainz has turned down both Audi and Alpine, with the recent management turmoil in both camps perhaps the final deciding factors.

It was widely thought that the arrival of Flavio Briatore at Alpine and a planned switch to Mercedes power would make the Enstone team more attractive to Sainz, but the general feeling in the paddock that the team is simply set up to be sold by Renault, and that clearly didn’t appeal.

Although Sainz knows new Sauber/Audi boss Mattia Binotto well from their days at Ferrari he did all his initial negotiations with previous incumbent Andreas Seidl, and while some see the change of leadership as a positive it also points at uncertainty in the camp on top of the unknown form of the 2026 power unit.

Williams, with stable leadership under James Vowles and bold plans for the future, ultimately appealed more than rivals.

“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,” said Sainz.

“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.

“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.”

Sainz made it clear that he believes in the team’s vision: “I want to thank James Vowles and the entire Board of Williams for their trust and determination. Their solid leadership and convictions have played an important role in my decision-making.

“I truly believe that the core of every successful team lies amongst their people and their culture. 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.”

Vowles, who has pulled off a major coup by both holding on to Albon and attracting Sainz, has madem it clear that the team has a big future.

“Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties,” he 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 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.

“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. 

“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.”

Attention now moves to the remaining seats on the 2025 F1 grid. Sauber incumbent Valtteri Bottas is well placed to retain his seat, although the team is known to be looking at young drivers, and is waiting to see how the Red Bull/VCARB situation shakes out.

Jack Doohan is set to graduate to an Alpine race seat, and the Aussie will continue his development programme in the team’s 2022 test car at Spa this week.