Williams Inks Contract Extensions with Both Drivers as Summer Break Concludes

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER

Williams teammates Carlos Sainz Jr. (left) and Alex Albon (right) at the 2025 British Grand Prix (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Last season, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Alex Albon scored a whopping 137 points for Williams, placing the team fifth in the constructors’ standings. This was the squad’s highest points finish since 2017, and most points scored since 2016.

Although 2026 hasn’t been as kind to the duo so far, it is clear that they remain part of team principal James Vowles’ long-term plans, as both drivers have now secured contract extensions for 2027, with Sainz securing a multi-year extension, according to announcements made official by Formula One and the constructor this week.

Albon, who is in his fifth season with the outfit after leaving Red Bull ahead of the 2022 season, currently sits 16th in the drivers’ standings, scoring points at both Miami and Monaco. Both of the London native’s career F1 podiums came with Red Bull, but he did finish eighth in points last season, his best finish with Williams.

Meanwhile, Sainz has tasted victory before, scoring four Formula One wins with Ferrari between 2022 and 2024, before being ousted from his seat when the team signed seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The Spaniard placed ninth in the drivers’ standings in his maiden campaign with Williams last season, earning a pair of podiums in the Middle East late in the season at Baku and Qatar. Sainz started his sophomore season strong with a trio of ninth place finishes in the first five rounds, but hasn’t finished better than 12th in the last six.

Following a month long hiatus, the 2026 Formula One season resumes this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Entering the weekend, the last five Formula One races have seen five different winners.