Carlos Sainz did not disappear from F1 — he moved to Williams for the 2025 season after Ferrari chose to replace him with Lewis Hamilton at the end of 2024. He is still racing in Formula 1 and has been in the Williams seat through 2026, with recent reports showing mixed results, including technical issues and race setbacks.

What changed

Sainz’s big shift was the end of his Ferrari run, which had him performing strongly but still losing the seat to Hamilton’s arrival. That move was confirmed for 2025, and it ended his time alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Recent context

In 2026, he has been active with Williams and has spoken realistically about the team’s pace, saying he does not expect “miracles” at some tracks. Recent updates also mention front-wing failure and qualifying technical trouble in Australia, so the story lately has been more about adapting to Williams than chasing podiums.

In simple terms

  • Ferrari exit at the end of 2024.
  • Moved to Williams for 2025.
  • Still racing in F1 in 2026.
  • Recent form has been limited by car performance and occasional technical problems.

Why people noticed

The switch mattered because Sainz had been one of Ferrari’s strongest recent drivers, so his departure stood out even though it was not because of a sudden drop in ability. Ferrari’s Hamilton move created the opening, and Sainz’s career continued rather than ended.

TL;DR: Sainz left Ferrari after 2024, joined Williams in 2025, and is still on the grid in 2026.