Carlos Sainz, 31, has signed a new multi-year contract extension with the Williams Formula One team, keeping him at the team through 2027 and beyond [1, 2, 3, 4]. The announcement was made by Williams on August 19, confirming Sainz's commitment to the squad after joining in 2025 on a two-year deal with options to extend following his departure from Ferrari [1, 3, 4].
Since joining Williams, Sainz has scored two Grand Prix podiums and one Sprint podium, helping the team achieve its best constructors' championship finish since 2016 when they placed fifth in 2025 [1, 3, 4]. However, the 2026 season has proven more challenging, with Williams sitting ninth out of 11 teams at mid-year, partly due to a late and overweight car that tested the factory's limits, according to team principal James Vowles [2, 4].
Sainz is currently 15th in the 2026 drivers' standings with 6 points, while his teammate Alex Albon, who also extended his contract for 2027 to form an experienced driver lineup, sits 16th with 5 points [4, 1, 2]. Together, Sainz and Albon have more than 370 Grand Prix starts and 31 total podiums, bringing extensive experience to the team [4].
James Vowles praised Sainz's contribution, saying, "Carlos' talent behind the steering wheel and dedication back at the factory have been extremely valuable for this project - working day in, day out with his engineers to find every millisecond. He is a leader of this team, and I'm thrilled that he can see what's possible as we continue to rebuild it." [2].
Sainz himself expressed confidence and commitment: "I'm as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs, and I look forward to creating more memories with the team," adding, "I truly believe in the people that form this team, both at the factory and at the racetracks, and the investments and hard work that are happening in the background. We have what it takes to turn this around together." [1, 2]
Sainz also joins a select group of drivers who have raced for Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams, a distinction shared only with Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell [4]. Williams will rely on this experienced pairing as the season progresses and development continues in their effort to improve results in 2026 and beyond [1, 4].
