Williams Team Principal James Vowles first approached Carlos Sainz about joining the team during the 2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, planting the seeds for what would become a pivotal decision in both their careers.
In a recent announcement, Williams confirmed that Sainz will join the team on a multi-year deal from 2025, following Ferrari’s decision to replace him with outgoing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton. Sainz, contemplating his future, had been evaluating offers from Sauber/Audi and Alpine in recent months. Discussions with Williams, however, began long before Sainz’s exit from Ferrari was confirmed.
Vowles emphasized in a virtual media call that Sainz had always been Williams’ primary target. “The conversation has been going on for many months,” Vowles revealed, underscoring the prolonged negotiations that began in Abu Dhabi last year. He made it clear that Sainz was his sole focus, saying, “There’s only one driver I talked to in Abu Dhabi last year, just one, and it was Carlos.”
Vowles hoped that Williams’ climb to seventh place in the F1 Constructors’ Championship last season would enhance their attractiveness. However, the start of 2024 proved challenging with an overweight car impacting performance. Unexpectedly, Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari complicated the dynamics, as Vowles admitted, “I had absolutely no idea… I was knocked off my chair the day it happened.”
With Sainz and Alex Albon teaming up at Williams in 2025, the team aims to form one of the most formidable driver duos in Formula One. Vowles, who orchestrated the deal, recognizes the need to build a competitive car to meet the ambitions of both drivers. Securing Sainz’s signature was evidence of determined negotiations and strategic insight. Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, following Hamilton’s unexpected move, boosted his negotiating power amidst several offers.
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill reflected on Sainz’s move to Williams, highlighting the contrast between the team’s current situation and its dominant past. He sounded optimistic about the Sainz-Albon partnership, calling it one of the strongest in today’s F1 lineup. Vowles revealed that sharing detailed performance data with Sainz, particularly about the evolving weight and competitiveness of the 2024 car, was pivotal. “I gave him pretty accurate weight figures on where the car was overweight race after race,” he disclosed.
Williams struggled with car weight this season, losing significant competitiveness due to the excess weight, which cost them an estimated four-tenths of a second per lap. Despite these setbacks, recent advancements have been made. Vowles explained the relationship between weight reduction and performance improvements, emphasizing that shedding weight is a more feasible path to competitiveness than adding aerodynamic performance.
In addition to immediate performance issues, Vowles shared his long-term vision for Williams with Sainz. He outlined significant investments in infrastructure and personnel, including over 30 new hires to bolster technical capabilities. This transparency fostered trust and convinced Sainz of the team’s serious commitment to future success. “He knew about all the people we’d signed – and, by the way, there are others we haven’t announced yet,” Vowles mentioned.
Vowles’ forthrightness about Williams’ current standing and future prospects played a crucial role. Unlike some team principals who might over-promise, Vowles offered a realistic perspective. “I’m incredibly direct. I’ll show you everything, with its faults, but that message is not going to change because of our situation,” he explained. This approach resonated with Sainz, who values a stable and progressive project. Williams’ ambitions to return to the middle and top echelons of the grid align with Sainz’s career goals.
Carlos Sainz’s decision to join Williams signifies a major turning point for the team. As Williams advances its focus on performance and strategic investments, they are set to reclaim a competitive edge in Formula One. James Vowles’ transparency and data-driven approach were instrumental in convincing Sainz, marking the beginning of a promising partnership aimed at achieving future success.
