Carlos Sainz signs multiyear Williams extension

Williams Racing announced on August 19, 2026, that driver Carlos Sainz has signed a new multiyear contract extension with the Formula 1 team. The decision comes despite a challenging 2026 season and was revealed just one day after teammate Alex Albon secured a one-year extension for the 2027 season.

The announcement represents a significant commitment from both the four-time race winner and the team. In a statement, Williams described the new deal as a "show of faith in Williams' long-term project to compete at the front of the F1 grid." The team praised Sainz's "relentless determination to improve performance" and his role in driving forward its rebuild since joining from Ferrari in 2025. Sainz expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I truly believe in the people that form this team... I'm as committed as I was on day one to helping get Williams back to where it belongs."

The timing is noteworthy given Williams' current performance. After a strong finish to the 2022 season, which saw the team claim podiums in Azerbaijan and Qatar to secure fifth in the constructors' championship, hopes were high for 2022. However, the team has underperformed this year, scoring just 11 points from...