Carlos Sainz hesitated before signing with Williams as Alpine’s late interest, led by Flavio Briatore, briefly threw his future into doubt.
Carlos Sainz nearly backed out of Williams F1 last year when he received an offer from another team. This was reported in Drive to Survive, a series we chose not to review and strongly criticized regarding Season 7.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect it. It leaves a bitter taste. I will negotiate and secure a good deal,” Sainz said in a recorded sequence shortly after his Ferrari exit in early 2024.
Securing the driver quickly became a top priority for James Vowles, Williams’ team principal, who even admitted he was “thinking of nothing else.” He pressed Sainz’s manager, Carlos Onoro, emphasizing that he was offering “a good seat.”
According to Lando Norris, Sainz initially leaned towards a move to Audi F1 but gradually shifted towards Grove after relentless efforts from Vowles, who found amusement in the process.
“Signing a driver is a bit like dating. It starts with texting, then a dinner, and ends in a hotel room,” Vowles joked.
But just as the date and location for the signing were set, Sainz backed out of Williams. Asked about his absence, he confirmed that Flavio Briatore and Alpine had entered the discussions: “Flavio called me.”
“Carlos has doubts, he’s assessing all the teams on the grid,” his manager told Vowles at the time. Eventually, the doubts faded, and Sainz officially signed with Williams on a deal lasting at least two years.
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Sainz’s Shock U-Turn: Alpine Call Stalled Williams Deal Sainz’s Shock U-Turn: Alpine Call Stalled Williams Deal
