Contemporary hypothesis has linked Carlos Sainz with a transfer to Audi amid claims the Spaniard is contemplating leaving Williams on the finish of the season. Nevertheless, the German workforce has confirmed to GPblog that it’s absolutely dedicated to persevering with with its present driver line-up of Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg.
In response to journalist Joe Saward, the Spaniard might take into account leaving Williams on the finish of the season as a possible substitute for Hulkenberg at Audi. The German producer additionally shares a long-standing affiliation with Sainz by way of his father Carlos Sainz Snr, a a number of World Rally champion and four-time Dakar winner.
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Sainz headed into his second season with Williams off the again of a promising debut marketing campaign, highlighted by two podium finishes. With the arrival of the brand new laws, 2026 was anticipated to supply his finest alternative to struggle persistently on the entrance as soon as once more.
As a substitute, the British workforce has emerged as one of many largest disappointments of the season thus far, with the FW48 struggling to match the tempo of the frontrunners and chubby.
Photograph: Race Photos
Photograph: Race Photos
After 9 races, the Spaniard has scored simply six factors, just one greater than his teammate, with Williams sitting eighth within the constructors’ standings forward of solely Audi, Aston Martin and Cadillac. Two of these three are new Method 1 entrants, whereas Adrian Newey’s workforce has endured important technical struggles.
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GPblog beforehand reported that Aston Martin might strategy Williams to discover a transfer for both Sainz or Albon ought to Fernando Alonso determine to retire from Method 1 on the finish of the season.
Carlos Sainz attracts clear line on Williams future intentions
Talking to GPblog just lately, Sainz made it clear that his full focus stays on serving to Williams enhance its present state of affairs. The Spaniard defined that he’s closely concerned within the workforce’s growth programme, with an intensive schedule of simulator work and conferences, and has even requested these round him to keep away from distracting him with discussions about his future till the summer time break.
“I’ve a lot work to do right here at Williams proper now. Over the following few races, and the quantity of simulator periods we’re doing, the quantity of conferences which were held in the previous couple of months.”
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He added that solely as soon as the summer time shutdown arrives will he start evaluating his choices. On the similar time, he harassed that Williams continues to be his precedence and reiterated his perception within the workforce’s long-term mission, making it clear that his intention is to proceed with the Grove-based outfit whereas specializing in bettering its on-track efficiency.
Photograph: Race Photos
Photograph: Race Photos
“I’ve additionally instructed my workforce to go away me a bit by myself till the summer time break, simply to try to assist Williams and enhance the state of affairs as a lot as potential. After which in the summertime break, it is going to be clearly time to consider it, take a look at the choices, and I believe the workforce proper now is aware of what my intentions and my priorities are, which might be to proceed on this workforce, on this mission. I imagine within the long-term a part of the mission and the long-term imaginative and prescient, and proper now we’ve, as I stated, loads of work to do.”
