P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz is looking to get back into a race winning seat
According to Spanish reports, Carlos Sainz is considering a surprise return to the McLaren team where he previously drove in 2019 and 2020.
Sainz formed a strong friendship with Lando Norris during his time at McLaren, and with Norris still part of the team following his world championship win, the reunion seems plausible.
After leaving McLaren for Ferrari, Sainz had a successful four-year stint in Italy, winning four Grand Prix races, most notably in Mexico in 2024.
However, he was edged out of Ferrari in 2025 due to Lewis Hamilton’s arrival, leading him to join Williams where he showed improvement throughout the season, achieving podium finishes in Azerbaijan and Qatar.
With Williams not progressing as expected, Sainz’s contract allows him to explore new opportunities for the 2027 season, potentially opening the door for a return to McLaren as indicated by his ongoing good relationship with the team’s management and drivers.
