Carlos Sainz says he by no means thought of leaving the Williams System 1 crew, having signed a brand new deal for 2027 final week alongside team-mate Alexander Albon.
For the legendary British crew, a nine-time constructors’ championship winner, 2026 has been a tricky season to this point. The FW48 has been shedding floor within the pecking order and has failed to attain any factors within the final six rounds. This overtly led crew principal James Vowles to concern he might not be capable of retain his present line-up.
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Again when he misplaced his Ferrari drive forward of the 2025 season, Sainz had entered talks with each Williams and the longer term Audi squad earlier than choosing the Grove-based outfit. Two years later, media experiences linked Sainz with a transfer to Audi for 2027, although there was no apparent emptiness in Hinwil, and the Spaniard has now informed Motorsport.com he didn’t actually think about any such profession path.
“No, it was simply the standard paddock rumours,” he stated in our unique interview. “I can verify that this yr I by no means critically thought of going anyplace else.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Audi F1 Crew, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photograph by: Clive Mason / Getty Photographs
In contrast to Albon, who dedicated to Williams for 2027 solely, Sainz signed a “multi-year contract”, hinting at a deal that stretches a minimum of till 2028 – although the wording is often used to consult with mere contractual choices for the next years.
Sainz was due to this fact requested whether or not the brand new settlement meant he was out of attain from prime groups, and his reply was elusive.
“The standard course of is that, earlier than signing a contract, you all the time assess the general scenario,” he stated. “However once we put all the things on the desk, one other facet emerged that is essential to me: I’ve by no means preferred leaving a crew when it’s going by means of a troublesome interval.
“It’s not in my character to go some place else if the scenario has grow to be worse since I joined the crew. After I dedicated to the Williams challenge, I knew there may very well be troublesome moments and, despite the fact that the one we’re going by means of now’s notably powerful, I’m prepared to just accept it.
“No person within the crew is pleased with the present scenario, and we’re all pushing to alter it as rapidly as attainable. However, as I stated, it’s not in my nature to desert ship when issues get powerful.”
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