Photo: Dorian Schuster (XaviYuahanda) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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A grand prix winner with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz made a bold bet by joining Williams — backing the historic team's long-term rebuild rather than taking a safer seat. Meticulous and consistent, he is one of the most complete operators on the grid.
His arrival for the new-era reset gives Williams genuine front-running pedigree in the cockpit. Alongside Alex Albon, Sainz forms one of the strongest driver pairings in the midfield, and the yardstick by which Williams' revival will be judged in 2026.
2026 team-mateAlex Albon →