Carlos Sainz extends Williams stay with new contract

Atlassian Williams Formula One Team have announced that Carlos Sainz has signed a new multi-year contract, which will see him remain on the grid with Williams through the 2027 Formula One season and beyond.

With this announcement, the British outfit have confirmed their driver line-up for next season, with Alex Albon having also signed a contract extension to stay with the team.

After making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2015, Sainz made his first switch in 2017 when he joined Renault, but it wasn’t until his move to McLaren in 2019 that he shot to prominence, becoming one of the most consistent drivers on the grid. At McLaren, he spent three seasons between 2019 and 2021 and picked up his first podium at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Sainz moved to Ferrari in 2021 to replace Sebastian Vettel. He picked up his first career win with the Scuderia at the 2022 British Grand Prix. He was the only non-Red Bull winner during the 2023 F1 season before he left Ferrari at the end of the 2024 F1 season.

Sainz joined Williams in 2025 and, given their competitive machinery, helped push Williams to a fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ championship, finishing ninth in the Drivers’ championship as he picked up his maiden podium with Williams at that year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, having also been on the podium in the Qatar Grand Prix, finishing third on both occasions.

The 2026 F1 season has marked a tough start to the new regulations era for Williams. They have fallen down the grid again, with Sainz having scored just six points in the first half of the season through three ninth-place finishes in China, Miami, and Canada.

On continuing with Williams, Sainz commented:

“I’m thrilled to announce my continued journey with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team family! I truly believe in the people that form this team, both at the factory and at the racetracks, and the investments and hard work that are happening in the background. We have what it takes to turn this around together. I’m as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs, and I look forward to creating more memories with the team.”

James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing, said:

“From the moment he joined, Carlos’ talent behind the steering wheel and dedication back at the factory have been extremely valuable for this project – working day in, day out with his engineers to find every millisecond. He is a leader of this team, and I’m thrilled that he can see what’s possible as we continue to rebuild it. It’s not just his racecraft and speed that stand out, but the work he does behind the scenes in the pursuit of high performance. Carlos shares the belief and ambition we have at Atlassian Williams F1 Team and is pushing every day to deliver it. Along with Alex, I truly believe we have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid, and a team capable of fighting for every ounce of performance together.”