Carlos Sainz’s Next Chapter: A Father’s Support and the Promise of Williams’ Future

---

As Carlos Sainz Jr. prepares to close his final season with Ferrari, his decision to join Williams has sparked conversation and anticipation. The Spanish driver’s choice comes after Ferrari opted not to renew his contract, instead signing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for 2025. For Sainz, the move to Williams is a commitment to a team in the midst of a rebuilding journey, with hopes pinned on an evolving project alongside his soon-to-be teammate, Alexander Albon.

Carlos Sainz Sr., the four-time Dakar Rally champion and father to the Ferrari driver, has been openly supportive of his son’s choice, highlighting the logic and optimism behind the decision. Speaking about his son's choice, Sainz Sr. said, “It's his decision and we have to respect it. It wasn't an easy decision, nor a clear one.” The decision to go with Williams came after weighing multiple offers, including one from Audi, which ultimately did not pan out as hoped. According to his father, Sainz had three or four viable options but ultimately decided that Williams represented the most promising path for his F1 career.

The 2024 season was a challenging one for Sainz Jr., marked by the early news of Hamilton’s entry into Ferrari. Nevertheless, he found solace in the support of his family, including his father and cousin, who helped him navigate the transition. Despite the anticipation of his departure, Sainz managed to take significant personal satisfaction on track, including a memorable win at the Australian Grand Prix in March. His father spoke on this, noting, “This year has been difficult for him… As a father and with my nephew, we gave him a hand, we looked at all possible options.”

Williams: A New Project with Promise

Williams, historically a strong F1 team, has shown incremental improvement over recent seasons, giving fans and Sainz’s family hope that the team’s upward trajectory will continue. “Williams is a project that is evolving,” Sainz Sr. remarked. “At the end of the year, it started to go better and we have to hope, and we are confident, that next year it will continue to progress.” The move is certainly a shift from Ferrari’s prestige, but the opportunity to shape and build within Williams is one Sainz embraces with confidence. His father added, “The teams where he raced improved when he arrived and this is what is important for a professional and what should always be expected of him.”

A Legacy of Determination and Clear Vision

Sainz Sr. concluded his reflections on his son’s move with a vote of confidence, emphasizing his son's dedication and strategic approach to his career: “I think Carlos is a serious driver and that he has very clear ideas.” As Sainz prepares to lead Williams alongside Albon, his father’s words resonate, positioning him as a driver unafraid to forge his own path, fueled by his passion and clarity for the sport.