Williams just pulled off one of the biggest moves of the F1 off-season—snatching up Carlos Sainz. After Ferrari cast him aside to make room for Lewis Hamilton, Sainz could have settled for a midfield exile. Instead, he’s bringing his race-winning mindset, relentless work ethic, and razor-sharp attention to detail to a team desperate for a turnaround.
And if you ask Williams boss James Vowles, this isn’t just a signing—it’s a statement.
Williams Lands a Star: Why Sainz is a Game-Changer
For a team that struggled through a brutal 2024 season, finishing ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, landing a driver of Sainz’s caliber is nothing short of a coup.
Vowles made it clear: Sainz is exactly the kind of driver Williams needs to claw its way back to relevance.
“He’s fitting in perfectly,” Vowles said at the Autosport Awards. “He’s a brilliant personality who brings not just race-winning pedigree, but this want and desire for Williams to be successful.”
That hunger is crucial for a team still deep in rebuild mode. While some might see Williams as a step backward for Sainz, insiders suggest the Spaniard sees it as a long-term project—one where he can leave a lasting impact.
The Sainz Factor: A Driver Who Leaves No Stone Unturned
Sainz isn’t just a solid driver—he’s known for his meticulous approach to racing. Every team he’s joined—from Renault to McLaren to Ferrari—has improved under his tenure. That’s not a coincidence, and Vowles knows it.
“He also doesn’t leave a stone unturned,” Vowles emphasized. “You look at all the teams he’s been to and where they’ve ended up. It’s not a coincidence.”
And Williams needs that mentality now more than ever. Unlike some drivers who simply adapt to a team’s setup, Sainz is known for pushing teams to evolve, forcing them to squeeze every last tenth of a second out of the car.
“His contributions are absolutely key for driving this team forward,” Vowles continued. “Because it’s now into a level of detail where you’re starting to chase milliseconds as opposed to the big ticket items we were before.”
Ferrari’s Loss, Williams’ Gain
Let’s be honest—Ferrari’s decision to sacrifice Sainz for Hamilton was a brutal business move. Sainz had proven his worth, even outperforming Charles Leclerc at times, yet he was still deemed expendable.
But that rejection could be Williams’ golden ticket. Ferrari released Sainz early, allowing him to jump into a Williams FW46 at the Abu Dhabi post-season test. And the results? Immediate.
“He’s relishing it,” Vowles said. “You can see from the moment he jumped in the car in Abu Dhabi. His mind switched. This is where he wants to be. This is what he wants to do.”
Sainz isn’t coming to coast through the midfield—he’s coming to drag Williams back to competitiveness.
Can Williams and Sainz Shock the Grid?
2025 might not bring instant podiums, but this move is bigger than one season. With the major F1 regulation overhaul coming in 2026, Williams is banking on Sainz being the leader who helps them build for the future.
Vowles made one thing clear: Sainz isn’t here for a paycheck—he’s here for a mission.
“Already in just a few weeks, real positive momentum from ideas, concepts, how we can change, how we can move forward is coming,” Vowles revealed.
Sainz has something to prove. Williams has something to prove. And if history tells us anything, Carlos Sainz doesn’t settle for mediocrity.
Could this be the beginning of Williams’ long-awaited return to the front?