Williams has confirmed its incoming 2025 driver Carlos Sainz Jnr will drive for them in next month’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Sainz is set to join the team at the end of the season after being replaced for next season at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton.
After several months of negotiations with multiple teams over where he would drive in 2025, Williams eventually announced in July that Sainz would join the team to race alongside Alexander Albon. As a Ferrari driver, it has been expected that Sainz would not be able to begin his tenure at Williams until his Ferrari contract expires at the end of the year.
However, Williams has now announced that Sainz will be able to participate in the post-Abu Dhabi Grand Prix test taking place just days after the final round of the season at the Yas Marina circuit. It will be his first time behind the wheel of a Williams.
“This early opportunity will allow both Carlos and Williams to begin building their relationship,” Williams said in an statement.
“The test session will provide a valuable chance for Carlos to begin integrating into his new team environment, and he will drive the FW46 for the first time. Carlos will drive for Williams alongside Alexander Albon in 2025, forming one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid.”
Sainz is completing his final three rounds as a Ferrari driver over the coming month ahead. He has raced for the Scuderia for the last four seasons, scoring four grand prix victories including two this season. His most recent win came just weeks ago in Mexico.
Williams are currently sitting in ninth place in the constructors’ championship. They were locked in a battle with Alpine and sat in eighth place in the standings before Alpine’s double-podium finish dropped them down a position.
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