Carlos Sainz has expressed strong confidence that his choice to leave Ferrari and join Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 season will ultimately prove successful. This belief comes as the motorsport landscape adapts to upcoming changes and fresh challenges, including Audi’s recent rise and new team dynamics.
Following his announcement to switch teams, Sainz faces speculation about whether Williams or the newly branded Audi team might offer the better prospects, especially after Audi’s rapid advancement, highlighted by Nico Hulkenberg’s first podium at Silverstone in July 2024.
Background of Sainz’s Williams Move and Initial Difficulties
Last year, Sainz was informed he would lose his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton, triggering a competitive search for his next team. Though heavily linked to Alpine and Sauber (soon to become the Audi F1 team), Sainz opted for a multi-year contract with Williams.
Since joining Williams, Sainz has struggled to achieve strong race finishes, not placing higher than eighth in his first 14 races with the team and trailing his teammate Alex Albon by 38 points. These results have intensified debate on whether Sainz chose the best path in his career.
Williams Versus Audi: Team Progress and Competitiveness
While Sainz has faced challenges, Sauber, under new leadership by Jonathan Wheatley, former Red Bull sporting director, has gained momentum. Hulkenberg’s podium in the British Grand Prix symbolized Sauber’s steady revival ahead of the significant regulatory changes slated for the 2026 season.
This progress has raised questions about the wisdom of Sainz’s contract with Williams, especially considering Williams finished ninth in the championship at the time of his decision, leading to less apparent certainty about their prospects.
Sainz’s Reflections on Choosing Williams
At the Hungarian Grand Prix media event, Sainz candidly admitted he wasn’t completely sure about the move when he made it. However, after spending time with the Williams team and observing their preparations for the 2026 regulations, his confidence has grown substantially.
He said,
“I definitely felt last year when I took the decision, Williams was ninth in the championship and there was less certainty that maybe Williams was the right choice in my career. Now I think, a year on, I’m very confident of the decision I took.”
—Carlos Sainz, F1 Driver
Sainz highlighted that his motivation was not to chase immediate success in 2025 but to invest in the future potential of Williams in 2026 and beyond, citing ongoing development and team efforts as key reasons for optimism.
He added,
“I’m very glad, looking at the progress the team is showing and the momentum we’re building into ’26, looking at everything that’s been done in the team into ’26, ’27, ’28 which is why I came to this team. I didn’t come to this team for the results of ’25; I came for the potential of ’26, ’27, ’28.”
—Carlos Sainz, F1 Driver
Despite positive feelings, Sainz acknowledged there remain numerous areas Williams needs to improve on and stated that the team must keep focused to convert potential into results.
He said,
“But happy with that decision and I think we just need to keep our head down and, at some point also, the results of ’25 will give momentum going into ’26.”
—Carlos Sainz, F1 Driver
Comparing Sainz’s Performance with Teammate Alex Albon
Throughout the 2025 season, Sainz has found himself behind teammate Alex Albon in both qualifying and race results, highlighting the uphill battle he faces within the current Williams setup. This rivalry adds pressure as Williams pushes for improvements amid the anticipation of new regulations.
Speculation Grows on Sainz’s Possible Return to Ferrari
Adding complexity to Sainz’s Williams tenure are rumors about a potential return to Ferrari. Former F1 driver and Sky F1 analyst Johnny Herbert suggested Sainz could replace Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari if Hamilton and the team part ways after a difficult 2025 season start.
Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, has struggled to make a podium in 2025 and cast doubts on his future at Ferrari following a poor qualifying performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix where Charles Leclerc secured pole position.
Hamilton stated,
“There’s a lot going on in the background that’s not great.”
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
Herbert interpreted such remarks as possibly signaling internal discord and a desire for change in the driver lineup.
He commented,
“Maybe they [Hamilton and Ferrari] are both saying that if it doesn’t work, the time is here, the time has come [to part ways].”
Herbert also noted Sainz’s own openness to returning, referencing a recent interview where Sainz replied, “Yeah, maybe!” when asked about going back to Ferrari.
Herbert praised Sainz’s prior performance at Ferrari, saying,
“But we know how good he was when he was at Ferrari.”
—Johnny Herbert, Former F1 Driver and Analyst
Implications and Outlook for Sainz and Williams in F1
Sainz’s confidence in Williams’ future underlines his long-term vision amid a period of transition in Formula 1. While immediate results have been challenging, the driver and team are focused on seizing opportunities presented by new technical regulations starting in 2026.
If Williams can capitalize on their development efforts, Sainz’s move may solidify into a fruitful partnership. Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding Hamilton and Ferrari keeps open the possibility of Sainz returning to his former team, which would reshape the F1 driver market for the coming years.
This evolving situation will be closely watched as the 2025 season progresses and teams prepare for the rule changes that could redefine competitiveness in Formula 1 for 2026 and beyond.