Williams is anticipating that Carlos Sainz will bring a new level of expectation to the Formula 1 team when he joins in 2025. The team’s Senior Race Engineer, Dave Robson, believes that Sainz’s arrival will be a significant boost for Williams, surpassing the efforts of both Alpine and Sauber/Audi. Sainz, who will join after his final season with Ferrari, has a track record of success and is known for pushing engineers to their limits. Robson expects Sainz to raise the bar as soon as he steps foot in the team.
Robson acknowledges that there will be challenges for the engineering team with Sainz’s arrival. However, he sees it as a positive development that will improve the team’s performance. Sainz’s demanding nature and his determination to extract the maximum potential from the car will be a driving force for improvement. Robson admits that he doesn’t know Sainz personally, but based on his reputation, he expects him to be demanding and believes that this is exactly what the team needs.
Sainz will replace Logan Sargeant, who has struggled in his second season in F1, as the teammate to Alex Albon. Robson acknowledges that having two competitive drivers on the team can create additional challenges for the pit wall. Managing two drivers who are pushing each other and fighting for points can be more complex. While Robson believes that it will ultimately be a positive situation, he acknowledges that it will be different from what the team is accustomed to.
Robson emphasizes the importance of having a full season to adapt to Sainz’s approach, especially considering the extensive regulation changes coming in 2026. He believes that understanding Sainz’s style and adjusting the team dynamics will be crucial for maximizing performance. Despite the challenges, Robson sees Sainz’s arrival as fantastic news that will bring positive changes to the team.
Photo from Carlos Sainz Instagram
