With Sainz bringing experience from two of F1’s top teams, including Ferrari and McLaren, Williams sees his arrival as a crucial opportunity to gain insights that could aid their push towards competitiveness.

Williams Taps into Sainz’s Ferrari Knowledge

Formula 1 is a sport where every piece of information matters, and Sainz’s experience with Ferrari’s operations could be invaluable to Williams. The British team, which has struggled to climb back to the front of the grid in recent years, believes Sainz’s understanding of how a top-tier organization operates can help shape their own development strategies.

Williams ambassador Jenson Button openly spoke about this, stating that the team has been “downloading” Sainz’s insights from his time at Ferrari.

“Whenever you bring in a driver from a top team, it’s not just about their driving ability. It’s also about what they know, how they communicate, and the systems they’ve worked with,” Button explained.

Sainz has spent the last three seasons working with Ferrari’s engineers, strategists, and car development team. His understanding of their strengths and weaknesses could help Williams identify areas where they can improve, particularly in race strategy, pit stop efficiency, and car development philosophy.

A Different Challenge Awaits Sainz

While Sainz has experience driving for championship-caliber teams, his move to Williams presents an entirely different challenge. The team has been fighting in the midfield for years, and while they have shown signs of progress, they are still far from competing for regular podiums.

For Sainz, the transition will require an adjustment in expectations. At Ferrari, the goal was always to fight for wins or at least podium finishes. At Williams, the primary focus will be on maximizing every opportunity to score points.

However, Sainz has proven in the past that he thrives in such situations. When he joined McLaren in 2019, he played a key role in their resurgence, helping them become a competitive midfield team again. Williams will be hoping for a similar impact from the Spaniard.

“Carlos is a driver who understands how to extract the most from a car, even if it’s not the fastest on the grid,” Button said. “That’s the kind of mentality we need at Williams.”

Williams’ Ambitions for 2025 and Beyond

Williams has been steadily rebuilding under the leadership of Team Principal James Vowles, and signing Sainz is a clear statement of intent. They are no longer content with simply being a backmarker; they want to establish themselves as a consistent points-scoring team and eventually push towards podium finishes.

Vowles has emphasized that Williams is taking a long-term approach to its resurgence, and Sainz’s multi-year deal suggests that both parties see this as a project rather than a short-term fix.

“Carlos brings experience, talent, and a strong work ethic. We believe he will be a key part of our journey to move up the grid,” Vowles stated.

Additionally, Williams has been investing in its infrastructure, with upgrades to its wind tunnel and simulation technology. Sainz’s feedback will be instrumental in shaping future car designs, as he brings direct knowledge of how Ferrari and McLaren have approached car development.

How Will Sainz’s Move Impact the F1 Grid?

Sainz’s departure from Ferrari to Williams is one of the biggest shake-ups on the 2025 grid, and its impact will be felt beyond just these two teams.

For Ferrari, it marks the end of Sainz’s tenure, during which he claimed multiple podiums and even a race win. While Hamilton’s arrival is expected to bring star power and championship experience, Ferrari will need to ensure that the transition doesn’t disrupt team harmony, especially with Charles Leclerc already established within the squad.

Meanwhile, for Williams, Sainz’s move represents a step forward in their journey to return to competitiveness. While they may not be fighting for wins immediately, having a proven race winner in the team could provide the boost they need to accelerate their progress.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Sainz to see how he adapts to his new role and whether he can help Williams take a significant leap forward. If he succeeds, this move could go down as one of the smartest signings in recent Williams history.

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This move underscores Sainz’s commitment to the sport and his peers, as he steps into a leadership role within the drivers’ union.

Carlos Sainz Joins GPDA Leadership

The GPDA serves as the collective voice of Formula One drivers, addressing concerns related to safety, regulations, and the overall direction of the sport. With Vettel’s retirement at the end of the 2022 season, a vacancy emerged in the association’s leadership. Sainz, now entering his 11th full season in Formula One, has been an active member of the GPDA and was a natural choice for the director’s role.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Sainz stated, “I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects. So I’m very happy and proud to do my part by taking on the directors’ role.”

Joining Sainz in the GPDA leadership are Mercedes driver George Russell, legal consultant Anastasia Fowle, and former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, who continues as chairman. Wurz welcomed Sainz’s appointment, noting, “We are delighted to welcome Carlos as a GPDA director, and we sincerely appreciate his commitment to working for the best interests of Formula 1 and its drivers.”

Transition from Ferrari to Williams

Sainz’s new role with the GPDA coincides with his recent move to Williams Racing. After four seasons with Scuderia Ferrari, during which he secured four Grand Prix victories, Sainz made way for seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in a high-profile switch from Mercedes.

This transition led Sainz to sign a multi-year deal with Williams, aiming to leverage his experience to elevate the team’s performance.

Reflecting on his decision to join Williams, Sainz remarked, “I had from the beginning a good feeling and it motivated me that it is a historic team that wants to find its way back to the top. That was already an incentive at McLaren and Ferrari.”

Williams, a team with a storied history in Formula One, has faced challenges in recent years. Sainz’s arrival is seen as a strategic move to infuse the team with fresh insights and drive. Team Principal James Vowles expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the long-term vision to return Williams to its competitive roots.

The Road Ahead for Williams

The 2025 season marks a new chapter for Williams, with Sainz partnering alongside Alexander Albon. The duo, nicknamed ‘Carbono,’ aims to bring a blend of experience and youthful energy to the team. During the car’s unveiling at Silverstone, Sainz showcased the FW47, the vehicle set to compete in the upcoming season. The official livery will be revealed at the F1 75 Live event at The O2 Arena, highlighting the team’s renewed ambitions.

While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Sainz remains realistic yet hopeful about the team’s prospects. He noted, “We will probably not be fighting for top-three positions next year, but I am very confident that we will make a step forward.”

The pre-season testing is scheduled to take place from February 26 to 28 in Bahrain, providing the team with an opportunity to fine-tune the FW47 and assess its competitiveness. Both drivers and the technical team are focused on extracting maximum performance from the car, aiming to make tangible progress throughout the season.

Sainz’s Broader Impact on Formula One

Beyond his on-track endeavors, Sainz’s involvement with the GPDA signifies his dedication to the broader aspects of the sport. The association plays a crucial role in advocating for drivers’ interests, particularly concerning safety standards and regulatory changes. With evolving technologies and race formats, the GPDA’s input ensures that drivers’ perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.

Sainz’s leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the GPDA, especially given his experiences across multiple teams, including Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren, Ferrari, and now Williams.

His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the sport’s dynamics, enabling him to effectively represent his peers.

As the 2025 season approaches, Sainz’s dual roles—as a key driver for Williams and a director within the GPDA—underscore his multifaceted contribution to Formula One. Fans and stakeholders alike will be keenly observing how his influence shapes both his team’s trajectory and the sport’s evolution in the coming years.

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Williams has been steadily improving its car in a bid to become more competitive in the midfield battle. Sainz acknowledged these efforts, saying, “Williams is making good steps forward,” as the team looks to build on its recent momentum and challenge higher up the grid.

His partnership with Albon has also attracted attention, with the two drivers forming a strong bond both on and off the track.

Their positive dynamic has led some fans to dub their friendship a ‘bromance,’ something Sainz addressed. “We’ve always had a good relationship. We respect each other a lot and have known each other for a long time,” he said.

With Williams investing in upgrades and aiming for consistent points finishes, Sainz’s arrival is expected to further accelerate the team’s development.

His experience with Ferrari and McLaren brings valuable insight, and his early praise for the team’s work suggests he is confident in their direction.

As the 2025 season approaches, Williams and its new driver lineup will be looking to build on their progress, with Sainz and Albon working together to push the team forward.

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The 39-year-old initially committed to continuing his tenure with the Silver Arrows for the forthcoming year prior to an early termination of his contract.

The rapid execution of this momentous transfer even took Sainz by surprise, as he addressed the public for the first time since its confirmation.

During Ferrari’s SF-24 launch, Sainz disclosed, “I was somewhat taken aback, much like everyone in the Formula 1 community.

READ: Christian Horner finally breaks silence as Bernie Ecclestone involved in talks

“From my perspective, you can understand I became privy to the news slightly ahead of others and had a few weeks to ponder and prepare, alongside readying for the car unveiling and the season opener.

This afforded me some time to assimilate it, formulate my own perspectives, and concentrate on the 2024 season.

I’ve received numerous supportive messages, for which I’d like to express my gratitude to the F1 fraternity and friends back home, who have been remarkably encouraging.”

Sainz’s triumph in Singapore stood as the sole non-Red Bull victory in 2023, thwarting the constructor champions’ bid for an undefeated season.

Nevertheless, the two-time race victor now finds himself scrambling to secure a seat for 2025 after Charles Leclerc’s protracted extension with Ferrari.

He remarked, “As for my next team, it remains uncertain, and I have ample time to deliberate upon it when the time arrives. There are numerous options available.

“I am approaching the most pivotal three or four years of my career and want to ensure I’m positioned optimally.

“I’ll be attentive to all possibilities so that when the time comes to decide, I’ve allowed myself sufficient time and information.

READ: Lewis Hamilton to be replaced by Italian driver

“It’s entirely feasible to compartmentalise these matters. I have a proficient management team to handle that, enabling me to channel my complete focus on the Bahrain opener and commence the season as robustly as possible.

“The rest will naturally unfold in due course.

“The fact that I won’t be a Ferrari driver in 2025 doesn’t diminish our aspirations to clinch titles and victories together this year.”

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It was confirmed on Thursday evening that Hamilton will be leaving Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season, to complete a switch to Ferrari after signing a “multi-year” contract.

The seven-time World Champion will replace Carlos Sainz, who is now without a seat for next year.

Mercedes also now have work to do ahead of 2025, as they need to find a suitable candidate to replace the 103-time race winner.

READ: Felipe Massa told he has ‘personal right’ to take Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title

With there being several drivers out of contract at the conclusion of 2024, Mercedes has plenty of options in their search for a new teammate for George Russell

Carlos Sainz

The first – and perhaps most obvious – option is Sainz.

Sainz is a race winner and was the only non-Red Bull driver to be victorious in 2023, at the Singapore Grand Prix.

He is a very talented driver who was praised last year for his consistent results, something Mercedes will need in their new driver as Hamilton was very reliable.

Whilst Sainz perhaps doesn’t have the same raw pace as Hamilton or Russell, he has proven to be an excellent number two driver and could even surprise a few people without the pressure of the Tifosi.

Alex Albon

Alex Albon is another driver out of contract at the conclusion of 2024 and is on the wishlist of several teams.

Red Bull and Alpine have both been linked to the Thai driver; however, as he currently drivers for a customer Mercedes team – Williams – a move to Brackley could be on the cards.

At 27 years old, Albon is reaching the peak of his career performance-wise and has proven that he can lead a time.

He scored regular points for Williams in 2023 and was often in Q3, suggesting that in a Mercedes he could compete consistently for big points.

Fernando Alonso

If Mercedes simply want a short-term solution, then Fernando Alonso is arguably the right driver to sign.

The two-time World Champion is out of contract with Aston Martin at the end of 2024, and whilst he’s reportedly keen on staying with the Silverstone-based outfit, he’d likely be foolish to turn down team principal Toto Wolff.

Moving to Mercedes could be Alonso’s final chance at fighting for wins and potentially even a championship, especially if he were to enter the new power unit regulations with them in 2026.

Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes might be on the hunt for a short-term driver so they can allow the incredibly talented Kimi Antonelli to grow up a little.

READ: FIA to continue speaking to F1 amid Andretti rejection

Antonelli is a Mercedes junior driver and is only 17 years old, he’s also the reigning FRECA Champion and is jumping up to Formula 2 this year with PREMA Racing.

He is viewed as the next big thing and the biggest talent since Max Verstappen, so there is a chance that if he performs well in his debut F2 campaign, that Mercedes take a risk and put Antonelli straight into Hamilton’s seat.

McLaren got lucky in 2007 when they put Hamilton straight into the team after winning the 2006 GP2 title, perhaps Mercedes can do the same with Antonelli.

The post Who will replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025? appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

Ferrari confirmed that Leclerc had signed a multi-year extension, although it’s unknown just how many years he’s signed on for.

The big rumour going around is that his deal is for five years, with it to expire at the end of 2029.

If this is the case, then it’ll make him the most contractually secure driver on the grid, a position currently held by Max Verstappen whose contract doesn’t expire until the end of 2028.

READ: Charles Leclerc picked as shock Lewis Hamilton replacement

Extending Leclerc’s contract before the 2024 season gets underway was an essential piece of work by Ferrari, although it now raises questions over what’s happening with Carlos Sainz.

Sainz’s future looks much more uncertain currently, with him reportedly having disagreed with the Italians.

The Spanish driver is believed to want a two-year contract extension which would take him to the end of 2026, and would see him enter the new power unit regulations as a Ferrari driver.

However, the Maranello-based side are supposedly not wanting to give him more than a one-year extension.

This would see Sainz remain at Ferrari until the end of 2025 but then be without a seat for the new regulations.

If this is the case, then it’s not actually a big problem for the 29-year-old, who reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with Audi last year.

Whilst this isn’t legally binding, it would guarantee him a spot on the grid for 2026, when the German manufacturer complete their 75 per cent takeover of Sauber.

There’s no doubting that the Ferrari seat is a better one to have, but the last thing Sainz needs is to enter the new season without a deal sorted for the following campaign.

READ: Red Bull dealt severe blow as McLaren reveal shocking Lando Norris transfer fee

This would put Sainz at risk of being offered no extension at all, if he perhaps fails to perform in the opening rounds or makes driver errors.

With just a month until F1 roars back into action, it’s a precarious position for Sainz, who is clearly less favoured than Leclerc.

Leclerc does have age on his side and is viewed as Ferrari’s best hope of claiming a first title since 2008, hence why he’s been given a deal for multiple seasons.

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Sainz Sr is an Audi driver and won them their first ever Dakar rally last week, whilst he also became the oldest driver to win what is regarded as the toughest competition in the world

At 61 years old, Sainz Sr is showing no signs of slowing down, although it’s currently unknown if Audi will be entering the Dakar in 2025 due to their preparations for Formula 1.

Audi are, of course, joining F1 in 2026, by merging with Sauber to create a works team.

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The German manufacturer are currently working on their power units, with Sainz Sr having no doubts that Audi will be a success in F1.

He points out “how seriously they take every project” and that failure isn’t an option.

“Audi is always a certainty [in terms of being successful],” said Sainz Sr, as reported by F1i.com. “After all, I know how seriously they take every project.

“I also know well what the famous German mentality means in practice, both the good sides and not-so-good sides, but we just have to have a lot of respect for the Volkswagen Group with Audi as part of it.”

Sainz Sr’s son has been linked with a move to Audi more than arguably any other driver on the grid.

His current Ferrari deal is set to expire this year and he’s expressed his intent on knowing his future for 2025 before the new campaign gets underway.

Reportedly, the 29-year-old wants a two-year extension but the Italians only want to give him a one-year deal for 2025.

The latter would open up the doors to move to Audi in 2026, with Sainz’s father admitting that the German manufacturer are discussed when in his home.

READ: Lando Norris warned about rejecting Red Bull

“We all know that Formula 1 is a special world, and I have a lot of respect for Audi,” Sainz Sr added. “In my eyes, it’s just a matter of time before they succeed in F1.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but the moment Audi decides to enter F1, they already command a lot of respect from me with that.

“Of course, it makes sense at Carlos’ house to talk about what Audi can get done, all the more so because I am a member of that Audi family.”

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The Red Bull driver cruised to a third consecutive Drivers’ Championship with complete ease, with him winning several races by over 10 seconds.

Sainz was actually the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race last year, at the Singapore Grand Prix where the Austrians had a poor weekend.

In fact, Singapore is the only place Red Bull weren’t victorious at in 2023, highlighting just how dominant they were.

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Many have put Red Bull’s dominance down to just how good the RB19 and Verstappen were together, although Sainz fears that they had more to give if they wanted to.

The Spaniard revealed that the telemetry from last season showed that Verstappen could’ve often won by a bigger margin but tended to back off after getting 10 seconds ahead.

Because of this, the 29-year-old has a “theory” that Red Bull are yet to show their full potential, meaning the likes of Ferrari need to find six-tenths in 2024 “not four-tenths”.

“It’s been a complicated season with a car that was better on Saturday in qualifying than on Sunday in the race, we went on track with hopes but then came away with a lot of frustration,” Sainz said at an Estrella Galicia sponsors event.

“As for Verstappen‘s dominance, I think he didn’t need to go 100 per cent, he only did it when he needed to and that aspect is what scares me the most.”

“Max has gone 100 per cent when he has had to go 100 per cent. There have been many races where he and Red Bull, looking at telemetry and analysis, were already 10 seconds ahead, they didn’t need to take another five seconds off us and maybe they kept it.

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“That’s my theory, my opinion and that’s why I say to the team that we have to gain not four tenths, but six, because I’m sure they didn’t need to give 100 percent in some races. You have to go with the mentality that maybe they didn’t give 100 percent in the races where they had a big margin.”

There’s no doubting that sides like Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren need to find more to catch Red Bull this year, if they want to end the Austrians dominance.

According to reports, Ferrari are actually using Red Bull’s 2023 car as inspiration for their 2024 design, with a similar front wing expected to be introduced.

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The Ferrari driver received support from Rupert Manwaring from when the Spaniard entered the Formula 1 paddock in 2015, as a Toro Rosso – now known as AlphaTauri – driver.

Manwaring remained with Sainz when he switched to Renault, McLaren and most recently to Ferrari, although it’s now the personal trainer who is on the move.

For the 2024 season, Manwaring will be working with three-time World Champion Max Verstappen, after the Red Bull driver parted ways with Bradley Scanes at the end of 2023.

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Manwaring works for performance coaching company Hintsa Performance, who were launched by Dr Aki Hintsa, who sadly died in 2016 whilst battling cancer.

Hintsa most notably worked with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, and two-time World Champion Mika Hakkinen.

On social media, Sainz admitted that his time with Manwaring “cannot be summed up in one video”, with a beautiful message being more appropriate.

“Eight years cannot be summed up in one video, but here is a hint of what it has meant to me,” wrote Sainz on social media.

“2023 was Rupert’s last year serving Team 55 and I wouldn’t know how to thank you for all your work and support during those years. Not only did we train together and fight for the same goals, but we also had a lot of fun. I wish you all the best, Ruperto!”

Working with Manwaring clearly meant a lot to Sainz, with their relationship seemingly having been equally as important to the personal trainer.

He wrote his own message to Sainz on social media and thanked him for their “friendship” and how much he learnt from the 29-year-old.

READ: Carlos Sainz on working with Charles Leclerc: ‘We have a healthy competition between us’

“Thank you for eight great years that were filled with fun, excitement and friendship,” Manwaring wrote in his own social media post.

“I didn’t get to tell you this during our collaboration, but I certainly learned as much from you as you learned from me (if you would at least listen once). It has been a crazy ride and we have grown together. It is also because of you as my wingman that I met my wonderful wife and mother of my baby daughter, the real boss of Team 55.”

“It is because of you that I have become a better coach. It was a privilege to watch you grow from raw talent to Ferrari driver, to race winner. You are the ‘smoothest’ and most ‘ruthless operator’. Thank you for your tolerance and unvarnished criticism of my hairstyles. I wish you all the best for the future.”

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Sainz was more consistent than Leclerc across the most recent campaign and even claimed Ferrari’s only race win in 2023; however, it was the Monegasque who came out on top in the intra-team battle.

Leclerc claimed fifth in the Drivers’ Championship whilst Sainz had to settle for seventh, albeit just six points behind.

It was Sainz who Ferrari could depend on for a better result throughout 2023, as Leclerc’s performances were inconsistent particularly during the first half of last year.

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Sainz’s win at the Singapore Grand Prix was clearly Ferrari’s highlight of last season, especially as the Spaniard was the only non-Red Bull to win a race.

Leclerc was very good in the closing stages of the recent season though and claimed three podiums in the final four races.

The 26-year-old secured six podiums across the season, whilst Sainz only managed three rostrum finishes.

Sainz is more than aware that Leclerc is incredible when it comes to qualifying and is capable of making up several places on a Sunday, making him difficult to beat.

However, the Spanish driver is ready to “bite” when the chance comes, although he recognises that he must “control” himself when opportunities to beat Leclerc arise.

“In every race, we are within half a tenth of each other,” Sainz told DAZN Spain. “Charles Leclerc and I are always together.

READ: Lewis Hamilton ‘one-upped’ by George Russell

“The ability he has on a single lap, the ability he has in the race to come back and gain positions at the start… We make a very good pair. We make a very good pairing.

“I think we are two drivers who get on very well together. I think that’s the best thing for the team, to have two drivers pushing each other. I think we have a healthy competition between us, but we always prioritise the team.

“I try to bite when I have to bite and I try to control myself when I have to control myself.”

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