Lando Norris has thrown his full support behind former teammate Carlos Sainz, declaring that the Spaniard is the key to reviving Williams’ Formula 1 fortunes. Sainz, who recently departed Ferrari to make way for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, is embarking on a bold mission to restore the iconic Grove-based team to its legendary status.
After finishing the 2024 season narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ title with Ferrari, Sainz has shifted gears to Williams, a team languishing in ninth place. Despite the daunting task ahead, Norris believes Sainz’s expertise and grit will spark a resurgence.
“They’ve not had someone with genuine top-team experience like Carlos,” Norris said. “He’ll propel the team forward. Williams has been improving, but now with Carlos, they’ll take an even bigger step.”
Eyes on the Prize: Williams and the 2026 Rule Shake-Up
Norris pointed to the 2026 regulation changes as a potential turning point for Williams, giving them a chance to rejoin F1’s elite. “2026 is a year where anything can happen,” Norris said confidently. “Williams could suddenly be at the top. We’ll have to wait and see.”
The Brit also acknowledged the uphill battle facing Sainz but maintained that his former teammate’s skills are undeniable. “Carlos deserves a good seat, to fight for championships and wins,” Norris added. “It’s a shame he’s out of contention for now, but I have no doubt he’ll help Williams climb back to the top.”
Sainz’s Ferrari Legacy and the Fight Ahead
In a bittersweet farewell, Sainz delivered two race victories and fought valiantly for Ferrari’s Constructors’ bid, culminating in a nail-biting second-place finish to Norris in Abu Dhabi. Norris reflected on their final battle, saying, “You always knew Carlos was going to put up a fight. I told my team this morning, ‘Let’s be careful of Carlos!’ He’s relentless.”
The Hamilton Factor and Sainz’s Future
As Sainz begins his journey with Williams, Norris also acknowledged the seismic shift at Ferrari with Hamilton’s arrival. “Carlos proved himself enough in F1 that no one should doubt him. It’s just that the biggest name in F1 wanted his seat,” Norris said. “But his time will come again.”
With Sainz now at the helm, Williams fans have every reason to hope that the team’s storied history of success could be reignited. And with Norris cheering him on, Sainz is poised to lead one of the most ambitious comebacks in F1 history.
