Williams will have the “best driver duo” in 2025 according to Vowles

Since his arrival at Williams in 2022, Alex Albon has had a succession of teammates: Nicholas Latifi, Nyck de Vries, Logan Sargeant, and recently Franco Colapinto. Apart from the Canadian, all the others were making their Formula 1 debut on that occasion. In 2025, he will be accompanied for the first time at Williams by a driver with extensive experience in the discipline and a Grand Prix winner in the person of Carlos Sainz (202 races, 23 podiums, and 3 wins).

Guest of the podcast Beyond the Grid, James Vowles, the boss of the British team, praised the duo that will make up his team next year. « I think that, from a driving perspective, but also from the team management [off the track], we will have the best duo of drivers on the grid », he rejoiced.

The beneficial experience of Carlos Sainz

For the Williams boss, Carlos Sainz is the right man for his team. Carlos is the man Williams needs, and his contribution to the team will be incredible. He even believes that the Spanish driver will have what it takes to perform well, stating that he will be even happier with his choice when he beats Ferrari driving for Williams.

Read also: Carlos Sainz wants to score points to extend his stay at Williams

Carlos Sainz has solid experience in Formula 1, having passed through Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, and Ferrari since his arrival in the paddock in 2015. He notably shared the garage with drivers who dominated the top positions of the championship, offering them solid opposition according to James Vowles. Carlos has driven against Lando Norris and has been successful against Charles Leclerc, with ups and downs, but there is almost no difference between these two drivers. He also considers that his future driver was exceptional against Max Verstappen when they were teammates at Toro Rosso at the beginning.

Sainz already involved in the team

If the Spanish driver still has to compete in the last six Grand Prix of the season with Ferrari, he is already involved in the development of Williams. An involvement that delights Vowles. « In the short time I’ve known him, he’s been driving the team forward. He wants to dedicate every minute of his time to make this team more and more efficient… Alex is built the same way. »

Having taken up his position last January, Vowles is delighted with the direction his team is taking. For him, his role is not only to get the best car, but also to build an ambitious team. “My job is to ensure that this organization is successful. Tell me what more we can do,” says the 45-year-old team leader.

A not so unique duo in the paddock

James Vowles seems satisfied to have a duo combining experience and confirmed youth – as opposed to rookies – even though many drivers are younger than Alex Albon and his 28 years. For now, three teams will rely on rookies for 2025: Alpine, Haas, and Mercedes, possibly also Racing Bulls and Sauber. However, several rivals of the Grove team have a similar pairing in their characteristics.

Also read: F1 more and more favorable to young drivers

Red Bull, with Sergio Pérez and Max Verstappen, can rely on two experienced drivers and be confident for the future with the Dutchman in its ranks. The same goes for Ferrari with its pair Hamilton – Leclerc. To a lesser extent, Norris and Piastri allow McLaren to have two relatively young drivers (24 and 23 years old) but who gain experience year after year. If Stroll struggles to convince, his partnership with Alonso allows Aston Martin to also have a complementary duo. Faced with increased competition, James Vowles must hope that his two drivers prove him right on the track next year.

The provisional grid for 2025

The drivers are classified by ages, which are indicated in parentheses.