Williams team principal, James Vowles, has made a bold prediction following Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, stating that Sainz would prefer to be racing with Williams. The Spanish driver is set to join Williams next year, partnering with Alex Albon, after his four-year stint with Ferrari.
Sainz, who has claimed victory in three Grand Prix races during his time with Ferrari, is expected to bring a winning mentality to Williams. Vowles expressed his confidence in Sainz’s ability not just to drive quickly but also to lead the team towards success in the coming years.
Vowles mentioned in an interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast that he believes Sainz would choose to stay with Williams once they start surpassing Ferrari in performance. This will mark Sainz’s fifth Formula 1 team, following stints with Red Bull’s Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren.
The Williams team principal emphasised the importance of bringing in leaders like Sainz who understand what excellence means from their experiences at top teams like Ferrari and McLaren. Vowles stressed the need for significant progress at Williams to elevate the team to new heights in the highly competitive sport.
On the other hand, Franco Colapinto, who replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams in the middle of the 2024 season, has showcased his potential with an impressive eighth-place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, Colapinto’s options for 2025 appear limited, with only a seat at Sauber (Audi) remaining available.
As the current F2 championship leader, Gabriel Bortoleto, is also in contention for the Sauber seat, Vowles has mentioned the possibility of discussing with Sauber about the prospect of retaining Colapinto for the upcoming season.
Formula 1 action resumes after a three-week break with the United States Grand Prix scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas, from 18th to 20th October. Sainz’s move to Williams and the ongoing developments in the driver market set the stage for an exciting and competitive 2025 season in the world of Formula 1.