June 6th 2024.
It has been announced that Carlos Sainz will be parting ways with Ferrari at the end of this year. According to reports, the Spanish driver has already signed a deal to join Williams for the upcoming season and an official announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
This news comes after Sainz found himself in a tough spot at the beginning of the year when Ferrari announced that they had signed Sir Lewis Hamilton to replace him in 2025. However, with a strong start to the season, including a win at the Australian Grand Prix, Sainz quickly became a hot commodity for teams up and down the grid.
Initially, there were rumors of links to Aston Martin and Red Bull, but those options were no longer available after Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez signed contract extensions. Even Mercedes, who was considering Sainz as a possible replacement for Hamilton, has now turned their attention to teenage rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
It was reported that Audi, who will be taking over the Sauber team in 2026, had their sights set on Sainz to lead their team and were willing to offer him a very lucrative deal. Many expected the three-time grand prix winner to accept this offer, but it seems that he has turned it down and has instead agreed to move to Williams.
Sainz has been a part of the Ferrari team since 2021 and there were rumors that Williams had also made a move for him earlier this year when they extended the contract of Alex Albon. If these reports are true, it means that their current driver, Logan Sargeant, will be without a seat for 2025.
The official announcement of Sainz's move to Williams is expected to be made at his home grand prix in Barcelona on June 21-23. Currently sitting in eighth place in the standings, Williams has a rich history and has enjoyed much success in the past. However, in recent years, they have struggled, with their last win dating back to 2012 and only one podium finish in the past seven seasons.
However, with the arrival of new team principal James Vowles and the development of their Mercedes engines, things are looking up for Williams. This, combined with the new car regulations set to shake up the grid in 2026, is believed to be what enticed Sainz to join the team. As for now, all eyes are on the upcoming race in Canada this weekend.
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