Vowles: Sainz choosing Williams over big OEMs ‘a proud moment’
Williams team boss James Vowles says he is “incredibly proud” of Carlos Sainz’s decision to continue his F1 career with the British outfit rather than with an industry giant such as Audi or Renault.
Sainz’s choice to align his future with Williams is perceived by many as a bold move by the Spaniard given the allure of his alternative options.
Early on, Audi, which is set to enter Formula 1 as a works team in 2026, was widely considered the frontrunner for the Spaniard’s signature. And it’s recent hiring of Mattia Binotto – Sainz’s former Ferrari boss – was seen as perhaps a deibitive argument to get a deal across the line.
Additionally, Alpine, with its factory status and the return of Flavio Briatore to the Enstone squad’s affairs, was also earmarked as a strong contender for the talented Spaniard.
But in the end, Vowles’ patience and efforts paid off, securing Sainz's commitment to the team. His strategic approach and dedication to building a competitive environment convinced the Spaniard to join, marking a significant coup for the team and setting the stage for a promising future.
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“What he described as Mattia joining hasn’t changed his decision, so you can now determine what he meant by that,” Vowles told the media on Tuesday.
“I think it’s a huge, huge event for Williams to have two of the best drivers in the world fighting in front, and I think it is very much a sign of things to come.
“The fact that we are prepared to have the investment required to be there, and a lot of it you can’t see.
“The one that you can materially see is what we’re doing by effectively putting money where it should be into the best drivers that are available to us.”
Vowles, clearly elated by Sainz’s decision, hailed it as a monumental achievement.
“In terms of beating an OEM and one of the largest in the world, I’m incredibly proud. I said this to Carlos anyway.
“It’s one of the proudest moments of my career, and I’ve had lots of great moments in my career, and the fact he chose us above all else is a huge, huge, monumental decision.”
By choosing Williams, Sainz is betting on the team's return to the front of the grid, but not in 2025 as Vowles made clear. Both parties came together on the premise of a long-term project.
“We have to be straightforward, Alpine are ahead of us on points this year,” argued Vowles.
“They were on points ahead of us last year as well by the same token. I recognise all of that.
Williams team boss James Vowles with driver Alex Albon.
“What he’s not buying into is 25. What he’s buying into is what can we provide in the next two years and what’s the direction of travel.
“This year we’re back in ninth. Is that where I think we should be? Not if the car was on the weight limit, but that’s on our shoulders.
“No one else calls that but ourselves as we change technologies. However, the bit that I am excited by is that we’re pretty consistently 10th from ’21, ’22.
“And ’23, do I think we should have been seventh? I think we got fortunate because AlphaTauri were very quick towards the end.
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