Carlos Sainz’s arrival at Williams promises improved performance and commercial growth, boosting the team’s prospects for a brighter future.
James Vowles, the Williams F1 team principal, remains optimistic about the team’s future.
With the signing of Carlos Sainz, he hopes not only for better results but also for improved sponsorship opportunities.
This has already led to the arrival of Santander Bank, which left Ferrari to join the Grove-based team.
“The commercial sector is a completely different landscape compared to two years ago. And, by the way, it continues to evolve at a solid pace. There’s brilliant news to announce over the next six months, and I’m confident this will keep going,” says Vowles.
“What I really wanted to do was bring the right people into the organization, change the culture, update the technology, transform the infrastructure, and revamp the commercial side and how we operate. Fundamentally, it’s about people, culture, technology, and infrastructure. All of this is happening—slightly slower than I’d like, but that’s because I’m incredibly ambitious and always want more progress every day. But it’s moving, and that’s the real measure of success.”
“On the commercial front, things are advancing faster than I expected. We’re benefiting from Carlos’s arrival, the appeal of Formula 1, and it’s undoubtedly great news for Williams F1.”
The pressure on Williams will be significantly higher than in recent years due to Sainz’s signing, which signals they could be seen as dark horses for 2026.
“It’s not about a single race or a single result in the coming years. It’s about whether we’re making progress. If I were to ask someone if they notice a significant shift in what we’re doing, and they say yes, then we’re on the right track.”
Some consultants are already questioning whether Sainz might leave after just one season. It’s suggested he has exit clauses in his favor, just in case. But Vowles doesn’t believe this will be the case.
“What we can bring is this: he knows what lies ahead, certainly in 2026, 2027, and 2028. We’ve given him a glimpse of all that.”
“It’s worth speaking to him rather than me. Every time I talk to him, he’s actually quite driven by what’s ahead in our shared future, and he can see the difference he can make here.”
“We are far behind Ferrari and even McLaren, where he was before, but we offer an environment where he can make a huge impact.”
“That’s really what drives me more than anything else. Every time I talk to him, he simply says: ‘Have you thought about this? Should we do that? Where should we improve?’”
“That’s why he kept winning races with Ferrari. I think he sees the future potential, and that’s what motivates him.”
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Vowles Confident in Sainz’s Impact on Williams’ Revival Vowles Confident in Sainz’s Impact on Williams’ Revival
