F1. The Spaniard, who will be leaving Ferrari at the end of the season, has opted to join Williams and James Vowles next year. A choice that may seem surprising given the other projects he could have joined. No doubt they were more attractive, but the British team has demonstrated its ambitions and now seems to be on the right track.
Written by By Lucas AutréauOn 07/08, 13:05
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Carlos Sainz is embarking on a new phase of his career. After racing for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari, the Spanish driver will join the Williams team next year in what will be the fifth stage of his career.
A surprising decision
This decision surprised many people, especially due to the close ties between the Sainz family and Audi, his father having been a member of their rally team since 2022. Advanced discussions between Carlos Sainz and Flavio Briatore also suggested that he could join Alpine. Flavio Briatore, executive advisor at Alpine, had even stated: "It's incredible that such a driver is still available. We all want to have him in the team and we will do everything in our power for that." However, the Spanish driver chose to turn to Williams, despite being second to last in the constructors' standings with only 4 points, 7 less than Alpine. But why join Williams?
The main reason for this choice lies in the determination of James Vowles, team director of Williams, to recruit the Spaniard. By offering him performance guarantees in line with his ambitions of a triple Grand Prix winner. James Vowles provided the Ferrari driver with sensitive data on the weight of the 2024 car, demonstrating a car that is becoming lighter race after race.
« I gave him fairly precise weight figures on the areas where the car was overweight race after race, so that he could go back and calculate from there where the car would have been. And for the whole world, it would have meant that we were scoring points in almost every race, certainly at the beginning of the year. And it's quite painful for me, but it's also a sign of the performance added to the car.
A too heavy car, but ambitious projects
Despite a 14 kg reduction in the chassis weight during the first half of the season, Williams started the year with a still too heavy car, making driving difficult for both drivers. According to estimates, the car lost 4 tenths per lap due to this overweight, costing the team valuable points. Alexander Albon had notably finished 11th twice in Jeddah and Australia. This issue now seems partly resolved thanks to the new improvements made in Imola.
« The weight can be removed and we reduce it. Adding real tangible aerodynamic performance is very difficult and weight is just a function. I have done it 100 times in my career - adding 10 kilos is about three-tenths; removing 10 kilos is about three-tenths. There is no debate about it, it is always the case. He knows it and he can see it. »
James Vowles also revealed to Carlos Sainz an overview of the investments in infrastructure and personnel to bring Williams back to the forefront. The team recently expanded its technical staff with over 30 new hires. "What I also showed him is where we are investing for the future in a light manner. I couldn't give them the detailed version. But [I told him] where we are investing, how much we are investing, why we are doing it, what I believe in, how long it will take to set up."
« He was aware of all the people we sign - and, by the way, there are still others that we have not announced for the moment - but I explained everything to him: what we are doing, why we are changing what we are changing, why it will take the time it will take, why 2024 is more of a compromise. I am incredibly direct. I will show you everything, with its flaws, but this message will not change regardless of our situation. It will always be the same. I think it helped him to trust me as an individual and in what I represent.
Note: I kept the original French text as it is not translatable to English.
The Williams team manager therefore wanted to give his new driver a clear view of the team's progress and imperfections, without making unrealistic promises. This honest approach undoubtedly convinced Carlos Sainz, who is looking for a stable project with constant improvement. James Vowles concluded by explaining that the team hopes to quickly return to the middle of the grid before aiming for the top positions, as Williams has not won for 12 years. "The team has a chance to compete against some of the other big names in F1. Can we beat other teams? I think we have a chance here. Ultimately, that's why I really focused on [Carlos Sainz]."
The recruitment of Carlos Sainz by Williams represents a major turning point for the team. With performance guarantees and significant investments, Williams hopes to regain a competitive position in F1. The transparency of James Vowles was crucial in convincing Carlos Sainz to join the team.
