Williams has announced that Carlos Sainz will complete the team's driver line-up for the 2025 season and beyond.

With a decade of F1 competition under his belt, Sainz will join Williams from Scuderia Ferrari on a two-year agreement with options to extend.

In his Formula 1 career to date, the 29-year-old Spaniard has achieved three race victories, 23 podiums, over 1,100 career points and is currently sitting fifth in this season's Drivers' Championship.

After becoming the only non-Red Bull driver to achieve a race victory in 2023, Sainz most recently took victory at this year's Australian Grand Prix, just ten days after surgery for appendicitis, and has scored four further podiums so far this season.

Sainz will race alongside Alex Albon for Williams for 2025 and into the new F1 regulations era as the formidable pairing look to spearhead the team's mission to return to the front of the grid. He will continue to race using number 55.

Williams would also like to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and dedication over the past two years. As a graduate of the Williams Driver Academy, Sargeant became the first US driver to score a point for 30 years when he finished 10th in Austin last year, and has played a fundamental role in developing the team. Williams will give Logan every support as he looks to continue his racing career for 2025 and into the future.

"I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams from 2025 onwards," said Sainz. "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.

"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.

"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."

"Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties," added 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.

"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."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Superbird70, 03/08/2024 10:31

"So if they do a throw back Canon livery will we see 'Red 55'?"

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2. Posted by NS Biker, 03/08/2024 1:07

"Brave, sad, encouraging and undigestable, seems we have heard all the descriptive metaphores.
One thing that stands out is that Team Williams has made a decision. A bold one. About time.
Yes, a Newey addition would really get things moving, but alas, not holding out much hope.
"

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3. Posted by Alex_V10_USA, 31/07/2024 18:56

"I've feel that Sainz has been underrated for some time but I feel the same about Williams. Sure, they're not even a regular midfield team yet, but in that respect it's about the *trajectory* of the operation and I think Williams is on a good one.

Second, it's about resources for the 2026 formula. Williams is well funded, hiring tons of talent, run by ex MB strategy head, MB powertrains and now a Tier 1 driver.

I think there's a lot to like about this move. It's a bit of a dice roll, but no risk - no return."

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4. Posted by Simon in Adelaide, 30/07/2024 5:42

"A fusion of Spanish and Thai cuisine, that should set things on fire - pass the Gaviscon."

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5. Posted by ian_w, 29/07/2024 20:25

"Given their current form, I would have really enjoyed the irony of Carlos taking Lewis' seat at MB, scoring some wins and beating Lewis and Ferrari in th the championships. Another error from the Ferrari pit wall! The pundits would have a field day!"

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6. Posted by ffracer, 29/07/2024 17:29

"Agree with many of the comments, I wished he got the works Mercedes drive but this could work in his favor. Williams has Mercedes PUs like McLaren, Albon has got to Q3 a few times now... I really like what James Vowles and his managing crew have done with this amazing relic of a team lol. Now imagine some good strategists and a better budget so a certain 'A Newey' can complete the staff directory... 2025 is going to be very interesting indeed!"

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7. Posted by meatball, 29/07/2024 17:29

"Vowles better have a car for him. Carlos is going to look like an absolute fool if they don't instantly show up next to McLaren and Mercedes next year. Carlos has been driving the wheels off that Horse-drawn buggy all season and making Chuck LeCrash look terrible in the process. Sainz SHOULD be in the Redbull next to Max... "

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8. Posted by Chester, 29/07/2024 16:35

"I find this news sad. He deserves much better. "

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9. Posted by BrightonCorgi, 29/07/2024 16:29

"Newey is next to Williams. Everything will in place to be a top team again in the near future."

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10. Posted by Batman, 29/07/2024 16:17

"I think Carlos' decision is undoubtedly courageous and tells us a lot about Max's “silver” future from 2026. Will Williams be able to produce a world champion? Will it be a short-lived contract? Now, will Audi have to bet on two old foxes to get their project off the ground or will they bring Schumacher into the family?"

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11. Posted by KKK, 29/07/2024 15:47

"Williams seems the most logical move. Hope he does well, Good luck Carlos."

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12. Posted by trackrecords, 29/07/2024 15:30

"Seeing as the likes of Alpine is a merry-g-round of management, Williams - ever though owned by venture capitalists - is very well-funded and making definite strides forward. Having spent his formative year in England, Carlos should integrate well, and combined with Albon, the pair should move the team forward. "

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13. Posted by Wokingchap, 29/07/2024 15:14

"Good news indeed, and I'm sure this great driver line up will bring Williams much further forward to where it deserves to be."

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14. Posted by kenji, 29/07/2024 15:03

"That's a very brave decision Carlos...hope it works for you."

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Sainz joins Williams for 2025

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