Carlos Sainz has secured a move to Williams for the 2025 season, much to the surprise of Williams Formula 1 boss James Vowles. Vowles expressed his astonishment that both Mercedes and Red Bull overlooked the talented driver. Sainz had made it clear that he was seeking a team with a car capable of challenging for the championship, especially after Lewis Hamilton was announced as his replacement at Ferrari. Despite his ambitions, Red Bull chose to extend Sergio Perez’s contract, while Mercedes appears set to promote Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Sainz had to consider offers from Alpine, Sauber/Audi, and Williams before ultimately deciding to join the latter. Williams announced the signing on Monday, bringing an end to the speculation surrounding Sainz’s future.
Vowles believes that McLaren and Ferrari have seen improvements since Sainz’s arrival, and he attributes this to the driver’s meticulous attention to detail. When asked about Mercedes and Red Bull’s decision to snub Sainz, Vowles expressed his confusion, stating that he considers Sainz to be one of the top drivers on the grid. He believes that in a highly competitive field, a driver like Sainz can make a significant difference, not just in terms of performance, but also in elevating the entire team. Vowles has had regular contact with Sainz over the past nine months and has been impressed by his dedication and drive to improve both himself and the teams he has been a part of. He sees Sainz as a valuable asset who can propel a team forward.
Williams made their announcement before the news that Red Bull has chosen not to replace the struggling Perez, who has earned 28 points in the last eight races.
With McLaren posing a significant threat to Red Bull’s lead in the Constructors’ Championship, Vowles stated that he would have signed Sainz to partner Max Verstappen.
“So, when you’re in Red Bull’s position where you have a Constructors’ Championship at risk, it’s always a difficult decision. But yes, I would have Carlos alongside Max.”
Vowles acknowledges that Mercedes is in a more challenging situation as they have improved their on-track competitiveness while deciding who will replace Hamilton.
“If you’re in Mercedes, it’s a tough choice,” he admitted.
“But I think they have gone back and forth between not being competitive, in which case it makes sense to invest in the future, to being very competitive.
“Now, it’s a more difficult decision whether to invest in known individuals or unknown ones. However, if Mercedes has made that decision, they have more information than I do.
“It’s highly likely that they are very confident with the direction they are heading. Whether it’s Max or Kimi, I’m not sure.
“But my point is, they are not foolish. They have made this decision wisely.
“And if Red Bull has chosen to do this, again, there are reasons behind it that I am not aware of because they are multiple World Champions.
“So, they don’t make decisions lightly. But I was surprised to answer your question.”
