Carlos Sainz’s F1 future appears to be taking shape, with reports indicating he has signed a deal for the 2025 season. An official announcement might come as soon as the Spanish Grand Prix this month.
Sainz found himself without a seat for the next season after Ferrari confirmed the signing of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton on a multi-year contract for 2025. Even though Sainz had started the season strongly with a victory at the Australian Grand Prix, attracting interest from Mercedes and Red Bull, those opportunities have since evaporated.
PlanetF1.com mentioned that Sainz was no longer in the running to replace Hamilton at Mercedes, which has been monitoring Max Verstappen’s situation at Red Bull instead. Meanwhile, Red Bull extended Sergio Perez’s contract, further limiting Sainz’s options.
Currently, Sainz’s choices seem to be between Williams and the existing Sauber team, which will become Audi in 2026. According to the Spanish publication The Objective, Sainz has signed a contract verified by a law firm in Madrid. Although his exact destination is still unknown, evidence suggests it’s Williams, with an announcement anticipated before the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona on June 23.
Earlier speculation linked Sainz with a potential move to Audi, especially after he received a lucrative three-year offer from the German manufacturer. However, Sauber’s failure to score points this season and concerns about Audi’s timetable for building a competitive team led Sainz to consider other opportunities.
Reports from Germany last week hinted that Williams could be a favorable option for Sainz, offering a possible one-year deal with an option for a second year. This would give him flexibility before the F1 regulation changes in 2026. Williams, alongside their engine partners Mercedes, has been preparing extensively for these future rule changes, remembering their success when new regulations were introduced in 2014.
At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Williams team principal James Vowles mentioned that their 2025 driver lineup would be finalized soon and teased a significant signing, which now seems likely to be Sainz. Sainz himself has expressed a desire to make a well-considered decision about his next move, given his nearing 30th birthday and the importance of this stage in his career. He emphasized that once he makes up his mind, things will progress quickly.
While all eyes are on Carlos Sainz and his next move in Formula 1, it seems we won’t have to wait long for an official announcement. The Spanish Grand Prix could be the moment where Sainz’s F1 2025 plans are finally unveiled.
