Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams has turned heads, but did he overlook a crucial detail?
- Sainz signed a two-year contract with Williams, leaving Ferrari for F1 2025.
- Rumors suggest a special clause lets Sainz leave if Red Bull or Mercedes call.
- Analyst Peter Windsor criticizes Sainz for not including Ferrari in this clause.
- Williams team principal dismisses the exit clause talk as mere speculation.
Carlos Sainz’s future is set as he joins Williams for F1 2025. After months of speculation, the Spaniard signed a two-year contract with options to extend.
The news broke after Sainz’s manager was seen leaving Williams’ unit during the Belgian Grand Prix. Reports of a special contract clause soon followed.
This special clause supposedly allows Sainz to exit the deal if Red Bull or Mercedes offer a spot. Such a move might mean Sainz never drives for Williams despite his new contract.
Interestingly, team principal James Vowles rejected the clause rumors, calling them “speculation.” He emphasized that only a select few know the contract’s details.
Vowles stated, “Anything you have read on the internet is speculation and that is it.” Sainz also insisted on his commitment to Williams through 2025 and beyond.
However, Peter Windsor argued Sainz made a “big mistake” by not including Ferrari in the clause. He questioned why Ferrari was left out, especially if Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari seat becomes available.
Windsor pointed out that a chance at Ferrari could be more likely than a move to Mercedes. He suggested Sainz might miss an opportunity to return to his former team.
Despite the criticisms, Sainz remains a beloved figure at Ferrari. He had joined the team in 2021, replacing Sebastian Vettel and winning three F1 races.
Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur issued a rare statement expressing his respect for Sainz. Vasseur acknowledged Sainz’s move to Williams while emphasizing their focus on the remaining season.
Vasseur said, “For now, Carlos is still very much a Ferrari driver and over the remaining 10 races we will all be working hard, focusing on our goals, fighting together for every single point until the very last lap of this championship.”
Only time will tell if Sainz’s Williams move is a misstep or a masterstroke.
