Carlos Sainz’s arrival at Williams is already paying massive dividends. From technical expertise to team morale, the Spaniard has quickly become a catalyst for progress—and team boss James Vowles is making sure the world knows it.
After being ousted from Ferrari to make way for Lewis Hamilton, Sainz didn’t just settle for a midfield drive—he saw an opportunity to rebuild a legendary team. And according to Vowles, his impact is being felt in every department at Grove.
Sainz Brings a Race-Winner’s Mentality to Williams
While Sainz’s Ferrari-to-Williams jump may seem drastic, Vowles insists it has been hugely beneficial for development—especially with the FW47’s control systems and race execution.
“He has a really good way of working with Alex [Albon], especially when we look at control systems—differentials, brake maps, etc.,” Vowles explained.
That experience is something Williams simply didn’t have before. Last season, Franco Colapinto was learning on the fly when he filled in, but with Sainz? There’s no teaching curve—just instant feedback.
“We now have an expert in it that has won races, and that’s really brought the team upwards.”
One of the biggest gains? Starts.
“Think of all the ancillary items, so not even driving the car. I can just see a dimensional change in how we’re performing from where we were before to where we are today.”
That’s the difference between a talented rookie and a seasoned race-winner—and Williams is feeling it.
Abu Dhabi Test: A Wake-Up Call and a Validation
Sainz didn’t waste time getting his hands dirty. After signing his multi-year deal with Williams post-Belgium 2024, he was already testing the FW46 in Abu Dhabi by December.
For Williams, it was a golden opportunity.
Sainz had just stepped out of a race-winning Ferrari, meaning his insights were as fresh and relevant as possible.
“It was incredibly useful and powerful having him testing with us in Abu Dhabi because we were able to understand where our weaknesses lie relative to a car he’d driven just a few days before,” Vowles explained.
And the good news?
Williams was already heading in the right direction.
“Carlos gave us instantaneous, correct feedback on all the areas we have to improve on,” Vowles added. “And the good news is it’s aligned with ours. Even more good news is there are areas where we have active mechanisms in place to rectify.”
That’s a huge validation for a team that spent much of 2024 struggling at the back.
A Cultural Shift: Sainz and Albon Lift Williams’ Spirit
Beyond the technical boost, Sainz has transformed the energy inside Williams.
The team that has spent years as an F1 underdog now has a proven winner leading the charge—and it’s changing the mindset at Grove.
“I see an organization around me that is smiling, happy, whose shoulders are lifted because they can see a pathway forward towards success,” Vowles revealed.
And it’s not just Sainz. Alex Albon has been equally instrumental in rallying the team.
“This will not be successful if any one individual is above the team—whether it’s myself, Carlos, or Alex. We need all three of us, and then a thousand individuals pointing the right way with the sole goal of this team becoming championship contenders.”
That’s the kind of mentality shift Williams desperately needed.
And Sainz isn’t just playing along—he’s actively helping push the team forward.
“They’re alive with it, they know where they are, they know where we’re going,” Vowles added.
The Verdict: Williams Has a Long Road Ahead, But Sainz is the Right Man for the Job
Carlos Sainz didn’t just join Williams to fill a seat—he joined to make a difference.
And in just a few months, he’s already reshaping the team’s technical direction, race execution, and morale.
Williams still has a mountain to climb before they can consistently fight at the front again, but with Sainz and Albon leading the charge, they now have a clear direction.
The real question?
Can Williams build a car good enough to match the ambition Sainz has brought with him?
If they can, this might just be the start of a remarkable comeback story.