Williams Racing has announced a major change to its driver lineup for the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship season and beyond.
According to a press release, three-time Formula 1 grand prix winner Carlos Sainz will join Williams Racing on a two-year deal that includes options to extend beyond 2026. He will solidify the lineup that already includes Alex Albon.
Sainz will replace American driver Logan Sargeant, who has spent the last two seasons with the organization.
Another piece of the 2025 puzzle falls into place 🧩#F1 pic.twitter.com/DksaZGjwhm
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 29, 2024
Sainz has raced full-time in Formula 1 since the 2015 season. He has been with Scuderia Ferrari, the team with which he scored his first career win at Silverstone Circuit, since 2021. Sainz has three wins with Scuderia Ferrari, the most recent of which was a mere 10 days after surgery for appendicitis.
"I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards," Sainz said in a press release. "It is no secret that this year's driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision.
"However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport.
"The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity. I am convinced that this team has all the right ingredients to make history again and starting on January 1 I will give my absolute best to drive Williams forward alongside every single member of the team."
Sainz moving to Williams Racing is only the latest driver change announced amid a busy season. For example, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced that one-time grand prix winner Esteban Ocon will join the team in 2025 while replacing Kevin Magnussen.
The moves continued with two drivers locking up extensions. Pierre Gasly signed a multi-year extension with Alpine back in late June. Aston Martin also confirmed that Lance Stroll would remain with the team through the 2026 season.