Sainz F1 team for 2025 confirmed

Carlos Sainz will race for Williams for the 2025 F1 season and beyond, the announcement coming after months of speculation over who he will join upon leaving Ferrari at the end of the year.

The 29-year-old will partner Alexander Albon as the Grove-based team looks to continue its climb up the F1 constructors' standings under team principal James Vowles.

It has looked as if Sainz and Williams were close to an agreement around the Spanish Grand Prix. However, Alpine entered the race for his signature and delayed the decision.

It reached a point at which the Spaniard had offers on the table from both teams - with a third offer from Stake F1 - although that was essentially an offer to drive for the works Audi team, with a year at the old Sauber entry prior to its transition.

Whilst it was unclear who the three-time grand prix winner would ultimately opt for, Williams remained the favourite over the past few weeks.

Over the Belgian Grand Prix, Vowles confirmed he had a number of late-night conversations with Sainz in a bid to convince him of the project at Williams.

The 44-year-old had made no attempt to deny his interest in the outgoing Ferrari driver, or that he was the team's number one target, since speculation linking Sainz to Williams first emerged ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

The news ends almost six-months of near-constant rumour and reporting over where Sainz might eventually land.

The Spanish driver admitted the impending choice was beginning to take its toll. There was talk that Sainz's indecision was causing patience in the paddock to wear thin.

Why not Audi?

Audi had long been considered the front-runner for Sainz's signature, with heavy links to the project - which will take full control of the current Stake F1 and former Sauber entry from 2026 - even prior to Lewis Hamilton's sensational Ferrari switch being confirmed.

However, despite already securing Nico Hulkenberg, there are concerns over how competitive the German marque will be over its first few seasons in F1. 

Even with his father's ties to Audi, Sainz remained non-committal to the speculation, and as ultimately opted for a future at Williams, a Mercedes customer team, over the full works operation that Audi will be.

Earlier in the season, there were suggestions Mercedes and Red Bull could snap up Sainz, who impressed with his strong start to the year. 

But the former was only seriously interested in a one-year deal, so nothing materialised, and the latter opted to retain Sergio Perez to partner Max Verstappen.

Although, the Mexican driver may soon find himself released by Red Bull, with Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson believed to be in contention for the seat for the remainder of the year.