Williams: Carlos Sainz already won over by his new team

Carlos Sainz Jr., freshly integrated into Williams, quickly found his footing within his new team. During the end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi, the proactive attitude and commitment of the staff deeply impressed him, strengthening his confidence for the upcoming season. The Spaniard particularly noted the collective motivation, despite a 2024 season marked by challenges and setbacks.

Barely 24 hours after his farewell to Ferrari, where he spent four intense years, Sainz participated in a promotional filming day on the Yas Marina circuit. This session allowed him to get a first feel of the Williams FW46 car before fully engaging in the official testing sessions. At the end of these tests, the Spanish driver shared his first impressions with James Vowles, the team director, and the rest of the technical staff.

Honestly, it’s very positive. I think we had two very productive test days, thanks also to everyone who made it possible. […] I really enjoyed it because it meant I could use this complete tire test in Abu Dhabi to my advantage and to our advantage. I think what impressed me the most, if I’m honest with you, is everyone’s motivation, even at the end of the year when we all know you’ve been through tough last races, a lot of hard work here at the factory, a lot of hard work on the track to make sure both cars keep running after such a bad streak of accidents. And I found people who were really enthusiastic and very motivated to work these two days, and it’s not easy because, in the Abu Dhabi test, everyone is very low on energy. […] It was a perfect way to approach the winter, knowing I have full support and everyone is going to give their best for the rest of the winter.

On February 14th, during an exclusive event at Silverstone, Williams unveiled the FW47 in a special livery, marking a significant milestone ahead of the season’s start. This presentation was closely followed by the media and fans, eager to discover the developments made to the car. The official race livery will be revealed at the F1 75 Live season launch event at the O2 in London on February 18th, providing a global platform to showcase the team’s final colors.

James Vowles, the team director, expressed his enthusiasm regarding Sainz’s arrival and the prospects for the 2025 season. He emphasized that Sainz’s experience and professionalism bring a new dimension to the team, enhancing collaboration with Alex Albon and motivating the entire staff. Vowles also highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve the performance of the FW47, with the ambition of regaining competitiveness worthy of Williams’ prestigious heritage.

On his side, Sainz expressed his satisfaction with his first laps in the FW47, describing the experience as better than expected. He noted that, although improvements are needed, the car shows promising potential. This positive assessment, combined with the team’s enthusiasm and dedication, reinforces Williams’ optimism at the dawn of the new season.

As the 2025 season approaches, Williams shows renewed determination, driven by the arrival of Carlos Sainz and constant efforts to optimize the performance of the FW47. The upcoming pre-season tests in Bahrain will be crucial for fine-tuning the settings and confirming the progress made, with the aim of securing a favorable position right from the start of the championship.