Carlos Sainz expects a difficult first season at Williams
Carlos Sainz has joined the Grove team from Ferrari. Although he used to win races, the Spanish driver is aware that his new car will not allow him to play a leading role. Nevertheless, he's looking forward to this new challenge.
After Toro Rosso (2015-2017), Renault (2017-2018), McLaren (2019-2020), and Ferrari (2021-2024), the Spaniard has decided to join Williams for the 2025 season under a multi-year contract. While he is eager to start his new adventure, stating that it’s official as he receives his Williams ID badge, he knows that his first year with the British team will not be easy.
After competing for top positions and securing four victories with Ferrari, the Spaniard leaves the second team in the standings in 2024 for the second-to-last team in the championship.
Read also: Williams is convinced that a healthy rivalry between Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon will strengthen the team
A more complicated 2024 season for Williams
After an encouraging 2023 season, marked by a seventh place in the constructors’ standings, the Grove team failed to maintain this momentum, hampered by a car that was much too heavy, affecting the drivers’ performance. While the drivers scored points eight times in 2023 (27 points in total), Williams only achieved five points finishes in 2024 (17 points in total and a seventh place in Baku as their best result).
With its 9th place in the team standings, Williams finished for the 6th time in the last 7 seasons among the last 3 teams. For Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of Carlos Sainz, the current situation at Williams is difficult, but he is convinced that his son can bring the British team forward on the grid, which gives Carlos Sainz a lot of excitement before starting his 11th season in F1.
Carlos Sainz eager to take on this new challenge
« It will be a difficult year at Williams. They finished second to last in the championship, but he is full of enthusiasm and very eager to start. There are drivers who reach their peak quickly, show everything, and then stagnate or regress. Carlos continues to improve every year » said the double world rally champion to El Cafelito.
Comments echoed by Carlos Sainz himself who, despite the criticism regarding this transfer, is fully convinced he is in the right place at Williams. I am fully convinced that Williams is the ideal place to continue my F1 career, and I am extremely proud to join such a historic and prestigious team, where so many of my childhood heroes have driven and made history in our sport. The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I accept with excitement and positivity.
Despite everything, the disappointment of not being selected by Ferrari is still present, especially since other top teams like Mercedes or Red Bull have not offered him a place despite some discussions.
A pleasant environment at Williams to forget his disappointment
« He had trouble digesting the news from Ferrari » retorted Carlos Sainz Sr. « Then, he also had to accept that, for various reasons, Mercedes and Red Bull did not open their doors to him. And once all that was behind him, he decided to go to Williams. I see him starting the season very motivated and full of energy. »
The Spaniard has already been able to test the car during the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi and was very well received within the team, notably by his teammate who recently posted a photo on social media with the Spanish driver. A very talented driver duo that should allow Williams to move away from the back of the grid.
Nevertheless, it will take some time before Carlos Sainz can be seen on podiums again. James Vowles, the head of Williams, has already indicated that the team is already focusing on 2026 and expects to see good results by 2028.
In the meantime, the Australian Grand Prix on March 16 will already allow us to observe Carlos Sainz aboard a Williams with the opportunity, why not, to compete for points in his very first Grand Prix.
