Carlos Sainz rejects Audi, aims for two-year deal with Williams

Carlos Sainz is considering the possibility of a future with Williams. This is not speculation but a real negotiation that the Spaniard’s management is pursuing as an alternative to the Audi option. At first glance, the Carlos Sainz-Williams pairing might seem surprising, but a closer analysis reveals a different scenario.

Recent reports have confirmed that for Carlos Sainz (barring any surprises), the doors to Mercedes and Red Bull are closed, depriving Carlos of the opportunity to secure a seat with a top team, at least in 2025.

The resulting scenario is very clear: the market leaves Alpine, Haas, Williams, and Sauber (Audi) as options. For the next season, choosing Williams does not mean aiming for something less than what is potentially possible with Sauber. In fact, if the current trend continues (2025 should not see new projects but developments of this season’s cars), it is more likely to be the opposite, with a greater competitiveness of the Williams package.

The choice must obviously be seen in the context of 2026, as neither teams nor Carlos Sainz are looking for one-year contracts. In two years, everyone will start with a blank slate, including Audi and Williams. For the German team, it will be the anticipated debut of the first power unit designed and built independently, while Williams will be heavily dependent on the Mercedes project.

If Brixworth can meet Toto Wolff’s high expectations, Williams will benefit, as seen in 2014 when, at the debut of hybrid power units, the English team finished the season third in the Constructors’ Championship.

Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!

In 2026, there will also be a significant driver market, as many contracts signed this season will expire, allowing Carlos Sainz (who will be 32) to reassess his future. This is and will be an important step for Carlos, who will not want to be caught off guard as he was this season. The choice for the next two years should be seen as the best possible compromise to return to the forefront when the doors of top teams reopen.

Carlos Sainz will not take much longer to make his decision, whether it is Audi or Williams. The English team has obviously also considered alternative options, with Valtteri Bottas at the top of the ‘plan B’ list. “I will simply put all the options on the table and make the right decision,” Carlos Sainz explained in a media meeting today. “I can only tell you that once all aspects are clarified, it will materialize very quickly. But at the moment, I haven’t decided yet, and I can add that I don’t have fixed deadlines to meet. This is an important decision for my career, I will soon turn 30, and I will take all the time I need to evaluate every detail of the choice I will make.” – the Spaniard concluded.

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari fans