The three suitors were Williams, Alpine and Sauber. At the time, the latter was rooted to the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship standings with no points, but the promise of significant investment under the Audi motorsport umbrella in 2026 made them an intriguing proposition.

Carlos Sainz crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix under safety car conditions in a chaotic start to the 2025 F1 season. Sainz, who moved to Williams from Ferrari in the off-season, was making his way around the final turn of this 14-turn circuit while the pack followed the safety car after Jack Doohan ’s crash on lap one.

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix on the opening lap in treacherously wet conditions at the Albert Park circuit. Sainz, who won the Australian Grand Prix last year driving for Ferrari,

Australian Grand Prix began with three drivers, including Williams' Carlos Sainz, crashing out on the first lap amid wet conditions. Rookie Isack Hadjar crashed on the formation lap, and Jack Doohan followed with an early accident.

Under-pressure F1 rookie Jack Doohan and new Williams driver Carlos Sainz have crashed out of the early stages of the Australian Grand Prix. The season-opening round in Melbourne has started in chaotic fashion, with rookie Isack Hadjar spinning out on the formation lap, resulting in an aborted race start.

Alpine's Jack Doohan and Williams' Carlos Sainz both crash on the first lap of the Australian Grand Prix.

F1: The season-opening Australian GP got off to a chaotic start, as Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz all crashed out before the end of lap one.

Carlos Sainz's Williams F1 debut ended on the first lap of the Australian Grand Prix with a shocking safety car crash. Following only one lap of racing in Melbourne, three drivers on the grid had already crashed and were unable to compete in the rest of the grand prix as they struggled with the wet conditions.

Only one lap of the 2025 season has been completed, but three cars have already crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix. After Isack Hadjar spun out of the formation lap, hometown hero Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz both crashed out at a soaking Albert Park to give the start of the campaign a chaotic start.