Carlos Sainz names key factor behind signing new long-term Williams contract

Carlos Sainz has named the "transparency and honesty" from Williams management as a key reason why he has agreed to a new "multi-year" contract.

As RacingNews365 reported over the weekend, Sainz was close to putting pen to paper on a fresh deal at Grove, one with enhanced status to reflect his position in the team, with the Spanish driver frustrated at times in 2026 after the team's poor start.

Williams finished fifth in the 2025 constructors', with Sainz taking two grand prix podiums in Azerbaijan and Qatar, as well as third in the United States Grand Prix Sprint. Baku was Williams' first podium, in a normal race, since Lance Stroll's own 2017 podium at the venue. 

Hopes were high that the form could be translated into 2026, but the FW48 machine was initially late to the Barcelona shakedown, and did not run, and was proven to be over the weight limit, impacting performance.

Whereas other teams have been able to add huge chunks of performance with upgrades thus far, Williams has not, with its own big package planned for Azerbaijan, with intermediary steps taking place to shed weight. 

Asked why he had decided to commit his future to the team, Sainz spoke of the "straightforward, transparent, and honest" relationship with management, including boss James Vowles.

"One of the things I value the most is having a straightforward relationship," he said.

"Since day one at this team, I have experienced that not only with James, the rest of the management team and the Board members, but also with the different individuals across the entire organisation. 

To improve and move forward, it is important to be transparent and honest, and to have a working environment in which everyone can take responsibility for their actions with a view to improving. Those are the sort of conversations I have had at this team .

There are many reasons to stay and continue to push with the team. First and foremost, because of the people who form this big family.

"I believe in the strength of the group in order to be successful, and I think the people at Williams have the right talent, motivation and passion to bring this team back to the top. 

"There are also a lot of changes, investments and projects happening in the background that make me believe we are on the ri ght path. We have hit a bump in the road this season, but we have all the right ingredients to bounce back and come back stronger."