F1: Carlos Sainz in talks with Williams for 2025 seat - reports

Sainz has reportedly received an offer from Sauber-Audi while also holding out hope that an opportunity might arise with Mercedes or Red Bull.

Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari SF-24 reacts in parc ferme following the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Williams has emerged as a surprise contender to sign Carlos Sainz, who will depart Ferrari’s Formula 1 team after this season.

Sainz has reportedly received an offer from Sauber-Audi while also holding out hope that an opportunity might arise with Mercedes or Red Bull. However, Motorsport.com reported Thursday that the Spaniard has been in discussions with Williams, which recently re-signed Alex Albon to a multi-year deal.

Sainz has been evaluating his options since the bombshell announcement in February that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, where he will join Charles Leclerc.

Red Bull is widely expected to re-sign Sergio Perez for 2025 alongside Max Verstappen, while Mercedes is believed to be leaning toward elevating junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton.

Sauber has reportedly offered Sainz a multi-year deal that would keep him with the team through its transition to the Audi works team in 2026. But Motorsport.com reported that Williams team principal James Vowles has also been outlining his vision for improving its place on the grid.

A major part of that vision is its customer engine deal with Mercedes for 2026, with Vowles recently acknowledging that his focus is more on 2027 and beyond than on the next few years.

“I’m going to just put all the options on the table and make the right decision,” Sainz said ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. “I can just tell you that, once I open my mind up, everything will happen quickly. It’s all about putting everything together that I feel like I need on my next new contract.”