F1: Carlos Sainz Makes Williams Debut in Post-season Dhabi Abu Dhabi Test

Carlos Sainz has officially embarked on his new chapter with the Williams F1 team. The Spanish driver made his debut during the recent post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit, marking the start of an exciting new phase in his career. Wearing a plain white race suit and a helmet without sponsor logos, Sainz hit the track to get acclimated to both the team and the car. His first run allowed him to feel the car’s performance and begin working with the team engineers. Thanks to this year’s expanded post-season testing regulations, Williams was able to field two cars, giving Sainz a valuable chance to speed up his integration and prepare for the 2025 season, while also laying the foundation for a strong future with the team.

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Sainz’s switch to Williams follows his exit from Ferrari to make room for Lewis Hamilton. With this move, Williams becomes Sainz’s fifth Formula 1 team, having previously driven for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari.

F1: Santander Joins Williams

Santander has announced a new partnership with Williams Racing for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Spanish multinational bank will serve as an official sponsor for the British team, providing significant support as they aim to improve their performance. This partnership comes at a crucial time for Williams, who finished a disappointing ninth in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship. With the addition of experienced driver Carlos Sainz, the team is determined to climb the ranks in the upcoming season.

James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing: 'Williams Racing is proud to add Santander to our growing roster of iconic and innovative partners for 2025 and beyond. Joining forces with a global banking giant trusted by tens of millions of people around the world is another significant step in our transformation and we look forward to working with Santander to engage and excite fans in the years ahead.'

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Juan Manuel Cendoya, Global Head of Communications, Corporate Marketing and Research of Santander and Vice Chair of Santander Spain, said: ‘We are delighted to partner with Williams Racing with a tactical agreement that allows us to keep offering exclusive experiences to our customers and continue to support Carlos Sainz in his new stage. This is one of the most historic teams with the greatest legacy in F1, and complements our role as the official retail banking partner of the competition with a focus on our main markets.’

Santander or Openbank logos will be prominently displayed on the FW47 race car, driver helmets, and team uniforms throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season.

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