Carlos Sainz says ‘trust and belief’ from Williams convinced him to sign as he confirms Red Bull and Mercedes talks

Carlos Sainz headed into the summer break with a weight off his mind after committing his future to Williams on a multi-year deal – with the Spaniard revealing the factors that led to him signing on the dotted line for the Grove team.

Sainz’s time at Ferrari is set to come to an end at the conclusion of 2024 as he makes way for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at the Scuderia. But with Alpine and Sauber having all sought the signature of three-time race winner Sainz – plus interest from Red Bull and Mercedes too – Sainz plumped for Williams on a multi-year deal.

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Speaking as the F1 paddock re-convened in Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break, Sainz explained the factors behind his decision – as well as addressing rumours of break clauses in his contract that might allow him to sign for teams closer to the front of the field should the opportunity arise.

“I obviously analysed every possible option in the market,” said Sainz on Thursday. “Especially the most competitive ones, but I understood that I either had to wait very long or there was not a strong possibility.

Carlos Sainz on his decision to join Williams for 2025

“I went very far with every single option I had on the table. I also visited and had conversations with both Red Bull and Mercedes because they are the most competitive options.

“But as soon as I understood that I would either have to wait quite long or depend on others to make that happen, I wanted to be the boss of my own destiny and I took that decision of going to Williams. In the end, James [Vowles, Team Principal] convinced me with his plan, his vision, his conviction, his self-confidence. I think he had a very clear target and this was very important for me.

“Around the Spa weekend, I wanted to make the decision because I wanted to go into the summer break with a very clear situation in my head. I knew that to have a rest, I also had to make sure that I took the decision.

“Williams gave me the trust and belief. I believe in that and feel really encouraged by the project there, and really motivated to see a team that wanted me so much. My clauses, whether I can go one place or another, has been a topic today. I can only tell you that I am fully committed to Williams for the future – and that whatever there is in my contract is nothing to discuss.”

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 09: Logan Sargeant of United States driving the (2) Williams FW46 Mercedes — Sainz will swap Ferrari for Williams in 2025

Williams Team Principal James Vowles revealed that a key factor in his decision to pursue Sainz was the positive technical impact that the Spaniard had had on all the teams he’d driven for since becoming an F1 driver back in 2015.

And Sainz, too, singled out that trait when asked what he wanted to remember from his time with Ferrari, having joined the team in 2021.

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“Number one, the progress we have made as a team since I arrived,” he said. “When you see where we were in 2021 to where we are now, I’m very proud and happy with having contributed to the progress.

“Second, my wins. In the end, Ferrari has given me the opportunity to win races in Formula 1, something which I hadn’t managed to achieve before. I wouldn’t change anything for having my first wins with Ferrari, also because every win was very particular and very special itself.”