Williams team principal James Vowles has dismissed speculation that Carlos Sainz’s contract includes an exit clause.

Sainz will join Williams next year alongside Alex Albon on a multi-year deal after he left Ferrari and was replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

The Spaniard had been linked with a number of F1 projects before deciding to join the Grove-based team.

Notably, on the day Sainz was announced as a Williams driver, there was speculation that his two-year contract included a clause allowing him to leave.

Vowles highlighted the fact that the exact details of Sainz’s contract are limited to a very short list of people.

“There are only 10 people in the world who know the contents of the contract,” Vowles told the media.

“Carlos’ camp knows, and I know what’s in it. Anything you read on the internet is speculation and that’s it.”

Williams’ official release confirmed that Sainz had signed a deal “for 2025, 2026 and beyond”.

Vowles revealed that the official announcement was made at Sainz’s request, not the team’s.

“The message that 2025, 2026 and beyond came not from me, but from Carlos,” Vowles explained.

“He wants everyone and the world to know that he is committed and that this is where he wants to be.”