The Formula 1 driver market is a revolving door of talent, ambition, and opportunity, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown has admitted that he would consider opening the door to a return of Carlos Sainz to Woking if circumstances allowed for such a possibility.
Sainz, now navigating a new chapter with Williams after a four-year stint at Ferrari is no stranger to McLaren’s ethos.
His two seasons alongside Lando Norris were marked by synergy and success, with the duo fostering a dynamic that propelled McLaren forward.
However, Sainz’s move to the Scuderia in 2021 and subsequent shift to Williams in 2025 have placed him on a different trajectory – one focused on rebuilding a historic team into a championship contender.
Yet, Brown’s recent comments to Spanish outlet Marca reveal that McLaren’s admiration for Sainz endures, with the door ajar for a potential return if either Norris or Oscar Piastri were to leave.
“If we had an open seat, of course, we would consider Carlos,” Brown stated. “But right now, we have Lando and Oscar under contract for several years.
“If, for some reason, the situation changes and Carlos is available… I have his phone number in my address book.”
Brown also praised Sainz’s previous contributions to McLaren and reflected on the difficult decision Ferrari faced between keeping the Spaniard or signing Lewis Hamilton.
“Carlos was amazing with us, a good friend, a great driver. Luckily, I did not find myself in the situation where I had to make that decision,” he added.
While Sainz’s current focus is on leading Williams’ resurgence under Team Principal James Vowles, his heart still holds reverence for the historic names that shaped his love for the sport.
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“When I was 10 years old and I started to fall in love with Formula 1, which teams you would have loved to drive for one day? Ferrari, McLaren, Williams,” Sainz recently said.
“Nothing would make me prouder than getting back on the podium with Williams.”
Though the Williams chapter has just begun, Brown’s comments make one thing clear — in Formula 1, relationships built on respect and results rarely fade.
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