Carlos Sainz has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Williams, shutting down speculation about a potential return to Red Bull.
The Spanish driver, a four-time Grand Prix winner, joined Williams on a multi-year deal after leaving Ferrari last season and remains focused on their long-term project, despite recent challenges. “I’m fully committed to Williams for the next two years and beyond, if the situation allows,” Sainz said to select media.
“I don’t know how much truth there is to these rumours, but I believe in the trajectory we’re on, and I’m confident in the choice I made.”
The Grove-based team have faced a tough stretch, particularly at the Austrian Grand Prix, where reliability issues derailed their weekend. Sainz couldn’t start the race due to a dramatic rear brake failure that saw flames erupt from his FW47, while teammate Alex Albon retired early with a power unit problem, marking a double DNF for Williams.
This setback left them scrambling to regroup before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Round 12 of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Despite these struggles, Sainz remains optimistic about Williams’ potential. “The speed in the car is there,” he said. “We could have won the midfield battle in Austria, even starting from the back. We’re very quick, but we need to stop making mistakes as a team. I’m confident it will come together.”
Williams currently hold fifth in the constructors’ championship, 19 points ahead of Racing Bulls, but their recent reliability woes have allowed rivals to close the gap. The team are now focused on resolving these issues to maximize their competitive package at Silverstone, a track celebrating 75 years of Formula 1 history.
Meanwhile, rumours of Verstappen’s potential switch to Mercedes have intensified, fueled by Red Bull’s struggles in 2025.
The four-time champion retired on Lap 1 in Austria after a collision with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who carries a three-place grid penalty into Silverstone. Despite an exit clause in Verstappen’s contract, Red Bull insist he remains committed until 2028.
However, speculation persists about a 2026 move, with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff openly expressing interest.
For Sainz, the focus is clear: deliver results with Williams. “It’s been hectic for the whole factory, for us as drivers, and all the engineers,” he said. “We’re working hard to get on top of these issues.”
As the F1 circus arrives at the iconic 5.891-kilometre Silverstone Circuit for the 52-lap British Grand Prix on July 6, Williams aim to turn their pace into points and silence doubts about their reliability.
