Williams Team Principal James Vowles has revealed that he first approached Carlos Sainz about joining the team during the 2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. That initial contact laid the groundwork for what would become a pivotal decision for both Sainz and Williams. The team announced on Monday that Sainz will join them on a multi-year deal from 2025, following Ferrari’s decision to replace him with outgoing Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Sainz had been considering his options in recent months, with potential offers from Sauber/Audi and Alpine on the table. Vowles explained in a virtual media call that discussions with Sainz began long before his departure from Ferrari was confirmed.
Williams’ early approach to Sainz
“The conversation has been going on for many months,” said Vowles.
“It hasn’t been weeks, some of which you’ve been privy to because it’s been a little more public than I would normally do with a driver discussion, but it actually started back in Abu Dhabi last year.”
Vowles stressed that Sainz has always been Williams’ number one target.
“There’s only one driver I talked to in Abu Dhabi last year, just one, and it was Carlos, just to be super clear,” he said.
“I didn’t make a spread bet. I picked one driver that I thought was going to make the difference.”
Setbacks staking a valid case to join
Williams had hoped their rise to seventh in the F1 Constructors’ Championship last season would boost their appeal. However, a difficult start to 2024 with an overweight car was the first setback.
“I thought, to be completely transparent, that we wouldn’t have the weight on the car, and you don’t know the numbers, but if we had been in a points position every weekend, I think it would have actually been a harder decision for him [to stay] if Ferrari was more on the rocks, and I didn’t know that was going to be the case,” Vowles said.
The unexpected news of Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari took Vowles by surprise, further complicating the dynamics of Sainz’s decision-making process.
“When Lewis was announced, I had absolutely no idea,” he admitted.
“I knew Lewis had his heart set on going there eventually, but I also know the end of that deal because I was part of it and I was knocked off my chair the day it happened.”
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Damon Hill’s perspective on Sainz’s move
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon will form one of the most formidable driver duos in Formula One when they join forces at Williams in 2025. The partnership marks a significant step forward for Williams, with team principal James Vowles playing a key role in orchestrating the coup behind the scenes.
However, Vowles knows that the real challenge lies ahead: building a car capable of meeting the championship ambitions of both drivers.
Williams’ success in securing Sainz’s signature over their grid rivals is testament to months of diligent negotiations. Sainz’s departure from Ferrari was unexpected, especially as Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes was due to run until the end of 2025.
The unexpected move set off a cascade of driver confirmations and movements across the paddock, leaving Sainz in a strong negotiating position with several offers on the table.
Former F1 world champion Damon Hill, who won the 1996 championship with Williams, shared his insights on Sainz’s move to his former team on the F1 Nation podcast. Hill acknowledged the stark contrast between Williams’ current status and its dominant position nearly three decades ago. However, he was upbeat about the potential of the Sainz-Albon pairing, which he described as one of the strongest in the current F1 line-up.
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James Vowles’ persuasive strategy: Secret data
James Vowles, the Williams team principal, played a key role in Sainz’s decision. Vowles provided Sainz with key performance data and insights that demonstrated the team’s progress and future potential. He shared sensitive information about the weight dynamics of the 2024 single-seater, revealing a car that was becoming lighter and more competitive as the races progressed.
This transparency and data-driven approach proved to be a winning factor for Sainz.
“I gave him pretty accurate weight figures on where the car was overweight race after race,” revealed Vowles, highlighting the significant improvements and the potential to score points in most races. This open sharing of data demonstrated Williams’ commitment to performance improvement and strategic development.
Tackling weight issues and ambitious plans
Williams has faced significant challenges with the weight of its car this season. Despite efforts to reduce the chassis weight by 14kg in the first half of the year, the car remained heavier than optimal, affecting its competitiveness.
The extra weight cost the team an estimated four tenths of a second per lap, which translated into lost points and missed opportunities. Alexander Albon, for example, just missed out on points, finishing eleventh in both Jeddah and Australia.
However, recent improvements introduced at Imola have addressed some of these weight-related issues. Vowles explained the simple relationship between weight and performance: “Weight can be removed and we are reducing it. It’s very difficult to add real tangible aerodynamic performance and weight is just a function.”
A vision for the future
As well as addressing immediate performance issues, Vowles outlined a broad vision for the future of Williams, focusing on significant investment in infrastructure and personnel. The team has expanded its technical staff, with more than 30 new hires to strengthen its capabilities. Vowles shared a high-level overview of these investments with Sainz, highlighting the strategic areas where the team is focusing its resources.
“He knew about all the people we’d signed – and, by the way, there are others we haven’t announced yet,” said Vowles. This transparency and strategic clarity was instrumental in building trust and convincing Sainz of Williams’ commitment to long-term success.
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An honest approach
Vowles’ honesty about the team’s current status and future prospects played a crucial role in Sainz’s decision-making process. Unlike many team principals who might over-promise, Vowles gave a realistic assessment of what to expect in the coming seasons.
“I’m incredibly direct. I’ll show you everything, with its faults, but that message is not going to change because of our situation,” he explained.
It is an approach that resonates with Sainz, who is looking for a stable and progressive project. Williams’ ambitions of returning to the middle of the grid and eventually challenging for top positions match Sainz’s career goals. The team hasn’t won a race in 12 years, but with the addition of Sainz and Vowles’ strategic direction, they hope to change that narrative.
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A major turning point
Carlos Sainz’s decision to join Williams marks a significant turning point for the team. With a renewed focus on performance and strategic investment, Williams is poised to regain its competitive edge in Formula One.
The transparency and data-driven approach adopted by James Vowles was instrumental in convincing Sainz to join the team. This partnership holds great promise not only for the team, but also for Sainz, as they both embark on a journey to the top in the highly competitive world of Formula One.
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