Williams team principal James Vowles believes the “warts and all” conversations he had with Carlos Sainz about the honest trajectory of the team helped win his signature for 2025 and beyond.
Sainz penned a deal with Williams for the next two seasons with the option to extend as he put pen to paper on his next step in Formula 1, as his time with Ferrari comes to an end at the conclusion of the 2024 season.Having been known to have had offers from elsewhere on the grid, with Audi having pursued Sainz for some time to look to spearhead their F1 entry from 2026 and Alpine having also reportedly made a late approach, the Spanish driver ultimately opted for Williams from next season.
Vowles revealed he has been in talks with Sainz and his management for months, going back to last season in his pursuit of the Ferrari driver as he looks to form the best partnership possible moving forward.
But for as to how he won out over factory teams, he believes the team’s honesty in negotiations is what helped push them over the edge – and believes this to be a big moment for Williams.
“It actually started way back in Abu Dhabi last year, and the message I gave to him and to his family at the time is no different to the message I gave him last weekend in Spa, to be clear, and I believe that’s what’s won it,” Vowles explained to media including PlanetF1.com.
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