Insiders on why Sainz’s moved to Williams – Why Williams? Insiders offer new theories on Sainz’s move. Carlos Sainz is set to continue his Formula One career with Williams from the 2025 season, a move that has sparked widespread speculation and curiosity within the racing community. Despite the Spaniard’s secret aspirations to join Mercedes or Red Bull, the reality is that he has opted for the historic British team. Two insiders have put forward intriguing theories to explain Sainz’s unexpected decision.

Williams F1 boss James Vowles has revealed the intense and uncertain journey that led to the signing of Carlos Sainz. He admitted that he wasn’t sure he had secured Sainz until the deal was officially signed, after previous disappointments.

The Grove-based outfit announced earlier this week that Sainz had put pen to paper on a multi-year deal that will see him join the team when his current contract with Ferrari expires. Sainz’s prospects beyond the current season became the focus of the F1 driver market, with Williams vying for his signature alongside Sauber/Audi and Alpine.

There were reports around the Spanish Grand Prix that Sainz was leaning towards Williams, but Alpine’s entry into the mix caused a lengthy complication. Vowles conceded that Williams echoed that sentiment until a disastrous weekend in which they had the slowest car, when Alpine made a sudden surge.

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Vowles: “Its’ been a rollercoaster”

Asked when he thought it was realistic for Sainz to join, Vowles told the media: “The moment it looked realistic was when his pen hit the paper. That’s the only time I thought it looked realistic. I was stung earlier in the year, around Barcelona time.

Reflecting on the difficult journey, Vowles said: “It’s been up and down all the way from, I would say, Monaco onwards. You pick up threads of it, but it’s been a rollercoaster, that’s for sure.

Vowles revealed that discussions with Sainz began in December last year, explaining that Williams’ slump in Barcelona was the only reason he pursued other options. “I didn’t call or contact anyone else,” he revealed. “In fact, the only time I did that was later in the programme when it became very clear that Carlos might not be joining us. And at that point, I’ve got to make sure that I’ve got my eggs in several baskets to cover that”.

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The lure of a buy-out clause

Günther Steiner, former team principal and current RTL pundit, suggests that Sainz’s decision to join Williams may have been influenced by a significant contractual concession: an exit clause. In an interview on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner expressed doubts that Williams could outbid Audi financially for Sainz’s services. He speculated that Sainz’s considerations went beyond mere financial compensation.

“For Carlos it’s not just about money. The critical question for him is: Where will I be in two, three or maybe more years?” Steiner explained. He suggested that Williams could have offered Sainz an attractive exit clause, allowing him to leave after the 2026 season, if the team’s performance under the new regulations lagged behind. By contrast, Audi, another major contender for Sainz’s services, reportedly demanded a minimum three-year commitment.

Steiner summed up his theory by suggesting that Sainz’s decision was likely a mixture of the buy-out clause and a belief in the future potential of Williams: “I think it’s a mixture of those two things.”

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Insiders on why Sainz’s moved to William: The Mercedes engine

Bernie Collins, a former Aston Martin strategy chief, offered a different perspective on Sainz’s decision during an appearance on the Sky F1 podcast. According to Collins, Williams was simply the best of the options available to Sainz, largely due to their future engine plans.

From 2026, Williams will be powered by Mercedes engines, which Collins believes could be a game changer. Reflecting on the historic success of Mercedes engines following the 2014 rule changes, Collins speculated that the forthcoming 2026 regulations could herald a similar dominance for Mercedes-powered teams.

“The majority of us believe it [the Mercedes engine] will be the most powerful, given what happened in 2014 with the new regulations,” Collins noted. While Williams may not be poised for immediate success in terms of podiums or points, the long-term potential from 2026 onwards is a compelling factor.

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Historical context and future potential

The 2014 season is a key reference point for this optimism. That year saw the last significant overhaul of F1’s engine regulations, and Mercedes took advantage of the changes to dominate the sport, securing 15 of a possible 16 world titles between 2014 and 2021. With another round of new engine regulations due in 2026, there is a widespread belief in the industry that Mercedes could once again set the benchmark.

This historical context lends credence to Collins’ argument that Sainz’s move to Williams is underpinned by strategic foresight. The expectation is that Mercedes will continue to deliver exceptional performance, and by joining Williams, Sainz is well positioned for the next phase of the sport’s evolution.

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A strategic move

While the reasons behind Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams may remain somewhat mysterious, the theories put forward by Steiner and Collins offer a plausible explanation. Whether it’s the potential security offered by a buy-out clause or the strategic advantage of Mercedes engines, Sainz’s decision appears to be a calculated gamble on his future in F1.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sainz and Williams to see how this partnership develops. The dynamics of the sport are set to change significantly with the new regulations, and Sainz’s decision may yet prove to be a masterstroke in his racing career.

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MORE F1 NEWS: Schumacher F1 return rumours after Sainz deal

Sainz’s decision sets the ball rolling: New rumours about Alpine line-up. Mick Schumacher, currently a reserve driver for Mercedes, has set his sights on a return to Formula One for the 2025 season. His ambitions have been boosted by the recent announcement that Carlos Sainz is to move from Ferrari to Williams, which has opened up potential openings at other teams.

In particular, a seat at Alpine, where Schumacher has been involved with the endurance division this year, seems within reach. However, recent rumours suggest that Schumacher may not be…READ MORE ON THIS STORY