Williams has pulled off a significant coup by securing the providers of Carlos Sainz for 2025, 2026 and past, ending months of hypothesis concerning the outgoing Ferrari driver’s future in Formulation 1.
The announcement additionally removes a major piece from the complicated driver market puzzle, as Sainz joins Alex Albon on the Grove-based workforce.
Following Ferrari’s determination to half methods with Sainz to make manner for Lewis Hamilton, the three-time Grand Prix winner’s choices for 2025 have been constrained to Williams, Audi/Sauber and Alpine, with the latter submitting a late provide for the Spaniard’s providers following the arrival at Enstone of government advisor Flavio Britore.
The timing of Monday’s announcement is considerably of a shock following Sainz’s feedback final weekend in Spa, the place he urged {that a} determination relating to his subsequent earlier than F1’s summer season break was unlikely.
Conversely, Vowles had indicated that he was hopeful of an imminent decision relating to Williams’ 2025 driver line-up.
Sainz’s transfer to Grove inevitably brings an finish to Logan Sargeant’s tenure with the workforce after two troublesome years.
“I’m very completely happy to announce that I will likely be becoming a member of Williams Racing from 2025 onwards,” commented Sainz.
“It’s no secret that this yr’s driver market has been exceptionally complicated for numerous causes and that it has taken me a while to announce my determination.
“Nonetheless, I’m totally assured that Williams is the suitable place for me to proceed my F1 journey and I’m extraordinarily pleased with becoming a member of such a historic and profitable workforce, the place a lot of my childhood heroes drove previously and made their mark on our sport.
“The final word purpose of bringing Williams again to the place it belongs, on the entrance of the grid, is a problem that I embrace with pleasure and positivity.
“I’m satisfied that this workforce has all the suitable substances to make historical past once more and beginning on January 1 I’ll give my best possible to drive Williams ahead alongside each single member of the workforce.
“I wish to thank James Vowles and your complete Board of Williams for his or her belief and dedication. Their strong management and convictions have performed an vital function in my decision-making,” Sainz added.
“I actually consider that the core of each profitable workforce lies amongst their folks and their tradition.
“Williams is synonymous with heritage and pure racing, the foundations of the venture that lies forward of us are very robust and I’m actually trying ahead to being a part of it beginning subsequent yr.”
Below Vowles’ stewardship, and with correct funding in place supplied by Dorilton Capital which acquired Williams from the workforce’s founding household in 2020, the workforce has launched into a journey of rebuilding and rejuvenation.
The previous Mercedes strategist has introduced a wealth of expertise and information to the workforce, and his concentrate on long-term growth has been evident.
Williams has proven indicators of progress in current seasons, and the arrival of Sainz signifies a daring ambition because the workforce goals to reclaim its place as a front-running drive in Formulation 1.
“Carlos becoming a member of Williams is a powerful assertion of intent from each events,” mentioned Vowles.
“Carlos has demonstrated repeatedly that he is among the most proficient drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upwards trajectory we’re on.
“Carlos brings not simply expertise and efficiency, but in addition a fierce drive to extract each millisecond out of the workforce and automotive; the match is ideal.
“In Alex and Carlos we could have one of the crucial formidable driver line-ups on the grid and with large expertise to information us into the brand new rules in 2026.
Their perception on this organisation’s mission demonstrates the magnitude of the work happening behind the scenes.
“Individuals must be in little question about our ambition and momentum as we proceed our journey again to competitiveness – we’re right here, we’re critical and with Dorilton’s backing we’re investing in what it takes to return to the entrance of the grid.
“I additionally wish to thank Logan for every part he has executed for the workforce and know he’ll proceed to combat arduous for us within the races forward.”
Sainz’s affirmation will unlock a number of anticipated driver actions, with Audi/Sauber more likely to rely as soon as once more on Valtter Bottas, and Alpine probably selecting both Jack Doohan or Mick Schumacher – or maybe outsider Zhou Guanyu – as Pierre Gasly’s 2025 teammate.
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