Former Williams F1 deputy team principal Claire Williams has revealed that she tried to sign Carlos Sainz during her time in charge of the team. Sainz is preparing for his first season as a Williams driver having been forced to make way for seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari for F1 2025.

Carlos Sainz crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix under safety car conditions in a chaotic start to the 2025 F1 season. Sainz, who moved to Williams from Ferrari in the off-season, was making his way around the final turn of this 14-turn circuit while the pack followed the safety car after Jack Doohan’s crash on lap one.

Discarded by Ferrari, Carlos Sainz said he felt vindicated for joining Williams after both he and teammate Alex Albon qualified in the top 10 on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix.