If there was a move that was the most awaited in the F1 community this year, then it was undoubtedly of the current Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz. It has happened, and he is going to William. William? Wait What? If that is your reaction, then we relate, and allow us to explain the whole saga:
The Journey Of Williams Signing
Being the only non-Redbull race winner of 2023, Sainz was expected to be a hot pick in the driver market for 2025. It was like every team was interested in him, yet things dont seem as perfect as the Spaniard would imagine.
Let's start with the top teams and move to the backmarkers after. RedBull resigned with Sergio Perez for a two-year tenure, and replacing Max wouldn't be in their wildest dreams. With the door of the drink company closed, the next best team at the moment is McLaren, but they seem content with their young driver lineup of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
What about Mercedes? With Lewis Hamilton leaving, they did have a seat, and there were rumours Sainz was in talks as well. That did not work out, as Sainz seems to be interested in a shorter-term deal that Mercedes did not offer, and they might go to their academy driver, Kimi Antonelli. Aston Martin also re-signed Fernando Alonso until the end of 2026, and Lance Stroll, being Lance Stroll, is not being replaced. Haas has also announced their pairing of Esteban Ocon and Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman from next year.
This left Carlos with three teams: Alpine, Sauber, and Williams. If rumours are to go by, he talked to all three for a short-term contract. With the instability in management, Alpine seemed like a rather hard bet, and with Mattia Binotto at the helm of future Audi Sauber, it was also an unlikely match for Carlos.
The team left is Williams, and it might be a good short term solution for Sainz as he is 29, so can afford to spend 1 or 2 years outside the top teams. He'll race for the team for 2025 and 2026.
Carlos' Statement
On the signing, Carlos said: "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.
He added, "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.
He thanked the team and said, "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.
On the Williams project, he added: "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 will be paired with Alex Albon for the 2025 season. Do you think Williams will be back on a winning run from 2025 onwards?
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