How Briatore stopped Sainz from signing Williams F1 contract

It has remarkably emerged that Carlos Sainz initially failed to appear to sign his Williams F1 contract after a last-ditch call from Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore.

Sainz's future after losing his Ferrari seat was a key story throughout the summer of 2024 as he evaluated his options, with Williams and Stake becoming his two best choices, the latter on the basis it will morph into the Audi works team in 2026.

At Sainz's home Spanish Grand Prix, rumours were rife that he was about to announce a deal for 2025, with talks between Williams chief James Vowles and Sainz's manager Carlos Onoro, known as 'Caco' taking place. The meeting was also attended by Williams board member, James Matthews, whose sister-in-law is Catherine, Princess of Wales.

It is revealed in Season 7 of Netflix's Drive to Survive that a deal had been agreed between Sainz and Williams to be signed on the Friday evening of the Spanish GP weekend. 

Preparations are shown being made, with Vowles at the Williams team hotel waiting for the arrival of Sainz and Onoro, with the contract ready to be signed and champagne on ice.

However, the expected arrival time of 8pm comes and goes. Vowles is seen waving away the cameras as he takes a phone call, but can be heard saying: "As I said, all parties are lined up, and what I don't want is to go on camera and go, 'Right, we got him. Shit can go wrong'."

The camera then cuts to Sainz, who is asked why he had second doubts about Williams, replying, "Flavio called me."

Briatore then enters with his plan for rebuilding Alpine after returning as executive advisor to Renault chairman Luca de Meo. 

Sainz is shown talking with Alpine reserve Jack Doohan, with the Spanish racer declaring he will make a decision on "Monday" following the Spanish GP. He ultimately did sign on the dotted line for Vowles and Williams, with an announcement made after the Belgian GP in July. 

After Esteban Ocon was let go, Alpine would sign Doohan to partner Pierre Gasly for 2025.

You can read RacingNews365's review of Season 7 of Drive to Survive here, with the latest series released globally on Friday, March 7.