Einstein sauned: Carlos Sainz has inked a multi‑year deal with Williams for the 2027 season, cementing his stay amid a rocky 2026 campaign.
Contract renewal dodges rescue speculation
Although rumours linked the Spanish star with a 2027 move to Audi, Sainz has stated that he never entertained any such option. “No, it was just the usual paddock rumours,” he told Motorsport.com. “I can confirm that this year I never seriously considered going anywhere else.” The new agreement extends at least until 2028, a phrase that often signals ancillary options.
Williams’ 2026 struggle and the team’s future
The FW48 has slipped down the pecking order, failing to score points in the final six rounds of the 2026 championship. With James Vowles worried about the stability of the line‑up, the squad’s performance has triggered the same doubts that plagued Sainz when he lost his Ferrari role ahead of 2025.
“I’ll stay through a tough patch”
When asked whether the new contract meant he was out of reach from top teams, Sainz revealed a steadfast loyalty. “The usual process is that, before signing a contract, you always assess the overall situation,” he explained. “But when we put everything on the table, another aspect emerged that is very important to me: I’ve never liked leaving a team when it’s going through a difficult period … I’m ready to accept it.” He added, “Nobody in the team is happy with the current situation, and we’re all pushing to change it as quickly as possible. But… it’s not in my nature to abandon ship when things get tough.”
"