Grove, England, August 20, 2026: Carlos Sainz has committed his future to the Atlassian Williams F1 Team after agreeing a new multi-year contract, strengthening the team’s driver line-up as it targets a return to the front of the Formula 1 grid.

The four-time F1 race winner joined Williams in 2025 and has since become an important part of the team’s rebuilding programme. Sainz has combined his experience, engineering feedback and racecraft with a strong focus on helping Williams improve performance across all areas.

The announcement comes a day after Alex Albon also extended his commitment to Williams, confirming the team’s driver line-up for its 50th anniversary season in 2027.

Together, Sainz and Albon form one of the most experienced driver pairings on the F1 grid. The duo have more than 370 Grand Prix starts, over 1,600 points and 31 podium finishes between them.

Sainz backs Williams’ long-term F1 project

Sainz’s new contract comes after a difficult 2026 campaign for Williams, but the Spaniard remains confident in the progress being made behind the scenes.

The 31-year-old has played a key role in the team’s development since joining, working closely with his engineers and technical personnel to extract more performance from the car.

His first season with Williams produced several notable results. Sainz claimed his maiden podium for the team with third place at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, before adding a Sprint podium in Austin and another Grand Prix podium in Qatar.

Those results contributed to Williams recording its strongest season since 2016.

Sainz said he remains fully committed to helping the team return to the position it believes it deserves in Formula 1.

“I’m thrilled to announce my continued journey with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team family! 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.”

The Spaniard added that he believes Williams has the ingredients required to turn its current fortunes around.

“We have what it takes to turn this around together. 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.”

James Vowles welcomes Sainz extension

Williams Team Principal James Vowles praised Sainz’s contribution to the team since his arrival, highlighting both his on-track ability and his work away from the circuit.

“From the moment he joined, Carlos’ talent behind the steering wheel and dedication back at the factory have been extremely valuable for this project,” Vowles said.

According to Vowles, Sainz has worked closely with his engineers in pursuit of marginal gains and has emerged as a leader within the Williams operation.

“It’s not just his racecraft and speed that stand out, but the work he does behind the scenes in the pursuit of high performance,” Vowles added.

Vowles also believes Williams now possesses one of the strongest driver pairings in Formula 1, with Sainz and Albon both committed to the team’s long-term ambitions.

Williams prepares for 50th anniversary season

Sainz’s contract extension also has added significance as Williams prepares to celebrate 50 years of competing in Formula 1 in 2027.

The team enters its landmark season with a driver pairing capable of bringing significant experience to its next phase of development.

Sainz will also become only the third driver, after Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell, to have raced for Williams, McLaren and Ferrari.

Williams has won nine Constructors’ World Championships and 114 Grands Prix during its history. The team is now aiming to build on that legacy by investing in its infrastructure, technology and personnel to challenge the leading teams once again.