'Leader' Sainz signs multi-year extension with Williams

Carlos Sainz has put pen to paper on a new multi-year contract with Williams, securing his place at the Formula 1 team beyond 2027. The 31-year-old Spaniard joined the team in 2025, hoping to help it return to the front of the grid. His previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season.

The announcement comes shortly after team-mate Alex Albon signed a new one-year deal covering 2027.

In a statement, Sainz said he believes in the people at Williams, both at the factory and trackside, and in the investment and work happening behind the scenes. He said he remains as committed as on his first day and is confident the team can turn its fortunes around together.

A difficult season

Sainz chose Williams for 2025 over the chance to become the lead driver at the newly formed Audi team, which debuted this year after taking over the Swiss Sauber outfit. While he was pleasantly surprised by the team's 2025 form, which included two podium finishes, he has been less pleased with its subsequent decline.

Team principal James Vowles had identified this season as the point at which Williams would take a significant step forward. The team finished fifth in last season's constructors' championship, ahead of schedule, but its new car arrived late and overweight at the start of this season. Williams currently sits ninth of 11 teams at the halfway point of the 2026 campaign.

Vowles acknowledged that building an entirely new car under the revised 2026 regulations had pushed the factory to its limits, but said subsequent changes had put the team in a stronger position for the future. He expressed delight at extending Sainz's contract, praising the driver's speed and his behind-the-scenes work with engineers in pursuit of performance gains.