In a shocking move, Carlos Sainz is gearing up for a dramatic shift in his Formula 1 career as he prepares to leave Ferrari for Williams in 2025. After being displaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Sainz is embracing his upcoming role with the Grove-based team, determined to help rebuild a legendary squad despite the expected drop down the F1 pecking order.
While some might view the move as a step backward, the Spaniard is unfazed by the challenge ahead, revealing that he’s no stranger to fighting in the midfield. Sainz, who has secured three wins with Ferrari since 2022, is well aware that his Williams tenure will likely be devoid of immediate podiums and victories. Yet, he’s motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of the sport’s most historic teams.
Speaking candidly about the move, Sainz reflected on his journey before Ferrari: “I’ve spent more time not fighting for wins than fighting for wins, and Formula 1 for me is a lot about extracting the maximum out of the car.”
Sainz acknowledges that F1 is a sport where a driver’s success is deeply tied to the car’s performance, making Williams’ long-term vision particularly appealing to him. “It’s all about how am I going to help Williams, how I’m going to help the project move forward, that really motivates me. It’s something I want to feel listened to; I want to feel like I can help.”
Sainz’s move to Williams signifies a calculated risk, with the British team currently languishing in eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, Sainz has confidence in their ambitions and the substantial investment behind the team’s revival plan. He’s aware that immediate success may not come in the form of wins or podiums in 2025, but he remains optimistic about his role in leading the charge.
Sainz also opened up about the toll that the uncertainty of his future took on him during the 2024 season. With the knowledge that he would be leaving Ferrari after the campaign, Sainz admitted that the decision weighed heavily on his mind. “It is not easy to both compete at a high level as a Ferrari driver and at the same time having to take such an important decision on your future,” he shared, acknowledging that while his results remained strong, the process drained his mental energy.
Now, with his future settled, Sainz is focusing on finishing the 2024 season with Ferrari on a high before shifting his full attention to the Williams project. He’s determined to leave a mark, not only by helping Williams rise from the ashes but by delivering standout performances for Ferrari in his final ten races.
Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams could very well be the start of a new era for the team and himself, as both sides look to prove they can rise back to the top of Formula 1’s fiercely competitive grid.
