Carlos Sainz signed a new contract to remain with the Williams team through 2027 and beyond. The 31-year-old Spanish driver joined the team in 2025 with the hope that they could achieve their ambition of becoming competitive again in Formula One.
With his current contract ending at the close of this season, Sainz decided to sign a multi-year deal despite the team's performance decline, which won the last of its nine constructors' championships in 1997. The announcement comes following a new one-year agreement for 2027 from his team-mate Alex Albon.
In a statement, Sainz declared: "I really believe in the people who make up this team, both in the factory and on the circuits, and in the investments and hard work that goes on behind the scenes. We have what it takes to turn this situation around together. I am as committed as I was on day one to help Williams get back to where it belongs, and I hope to create more memories with the team".
Sainz, who won four grands prix while at Ferrari between 2022 and 2024, chose Williams for 2025 over the opportunity to become the centre of attention at the Audi team, which made its debut this year after purchasing the Swiss Sauber structure. Although pleasantly surprised by the team's performance in 2025, when it achieved two podiums, he was less impressed by its subsequent decline.
Team principal James Vowles had marked this season as the moment when Williams would make significant progress. The team finished fifth in the constructors' championship this season, progress ahead of schedule, but its new car arrived late and overweight at the start of the season. The team currently sits ninth out of 11 teams at the midpoint of the 2026 season.
Vowles indicated that the stress of producing a completely new car according to the new 2026 regulations had stretched the factory to its limit. However, he maintained that subsequent changes had put the team in a better position for the future and expressed his satisfaction at Sainz's extension.
"Carlos's talent behind the wheel and his dedication in the factory have been extremely valuable to this project, working day in and day out with his engineers to find every millisecond," Vowles added. "He is a leader of this team, and I am delighted that he will be able to see what is possible as we continue to rebuild it. It is not just his racing experience and speed that stands out, but the work he does behind the scenes in pursuit of maximum performance. Carlos shares the belief and ambition we have at Williams and is pushing every day to achieve it".
