Williams has locked in its driver pairing for the 2027 Formula 1 campaign, following the announcement that Carlos Sainz has committed to a new multi-season agreement.
This update regarding the Spanish racer emerges just 24 hours after his partner Alex Albon signed a single-year contract extension for the upcoming season, marking the Thai-British driver’s sixth year representing the Grove-based squad.
The 2027 championship will mark Sainz’s third year with Williams, a decision made despite a challenging 2026 run where the team occupies ninth place in the standings after 11 events, securing merely 11 points and failing to score in the previous five outings.
“I am absolutely delighted to confirm that my path with the Williams F1 Team family will continue,” expressed Sainz, who transferred to the team from Ferrari, where he secured four Grand Prix victories.
“I have genuine faith in the individuals who make up this organization, both trackside and back at the base, as well as the financial backing and intense effort taking place behind closed doors.
“We possess the necessary resources to reverse our fortunes as a collective. My dedication to restoring Williams to its rightful position is just as strong as it was on my very first day.
“I am excited about building further unforgettable moments alongside everyone here.”
Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz of Williams
Image by: Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Sainz’s decision to extend his stay might initially raise eyebrows given the struggles of the 2026 season, which failed to build upon the momentum of 2025 when his pair of podium finishes propelled Williams to fifth place—marking their strongest constructors’ result since 2017.
The UK-based squad launched into the 2026 rule transition with an excessively heavy challenger, and shedding that extra mass has remained their primary objective all year, potentially compromising their aerodynamic progress in the process.
As a result, rumors intensified that Sainz might seek a departure for the following year as his deal neared its late-2026 expiration, though his realistic alternatives would have been limited to other mid-grid operations.
Consequently, the 31-year-old competitor is set to stay on for Williams’ historic 50th year in Formula 1, a tenure that boasts nine constructors’ trophies, seven drivers’ titles, and 114 race wins.
The Williams team believes that extending Sainz’s stay “demonstrates the mutual confidence established while the team keeps pouring resources into every sector required to compete at the highest level of F1 and expand on its rich history.”
Team Principal James Vowles remarked: “Right from his arrival, Carlos’ exceptional driving skills and tireless commitment at our base have proven incredibly beneficial to this endeavor, as he collaborates closely with his engineering group daily to squeeze out every fraction of a second.
Carlos Sainz alongside James Vowles at Williams
Image by: Clive Mason / Getty Images
“He acts as a guiding force within this squad, and I am delighted that he recognizes our potential as we forge ahead with our reconstruction efforts.
“It goes beyond his superb race management and pure pace; his diligent work behind the scenes in striving for elite performance is equally remarkable.
“Carlos is aligned with our vision and goals here at Williams, putting in the effort every single day to turn those aspirations into reality.
“With him and Alex paired up, I am convinced that we possess one of the most formidable driver line-ups in the sport, backed by a crew ready to extract maximum potential from our package as a unit.”
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