The future of Carlos Sainz dominated the Formula 1 driver’s market throughout the 2024 season.
Eventually, after offers from nearly half the grid, Carlos Sainz decided that his best next step after losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton was to join Williams.
Williams started the 2024 campaign full of hope albeit with a very different car to the one that Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant piloted the previous season that was inconsistent but had obvious peaks.
Instead, team principal James Vowles wanted a more well-rounded car, which is what they got, but that meant they were consistently just outside the points for much of the season.
Sergeant was sacrificed for Franco Colapinto for the final nine races when it was clear the American couldn’t exploit Williams’ biggest update package of the season and while he impressed, he already knew that there was no seat available for him in 2025.
That’s because Vowles had spent months courting Sainz and finally got a deal over the line, although the Spaniard may not have been totally convinced by his new team’s progression throughout last year.
Sainz looked quick during Williams’ post-season test, but there’s very little that can be read into that session.
Formula 1 fans backing Carlos Sainz to finish on the podium for Williams
Ahead of the start of next season, Formula 1 took to Instagram to ask fans for their bold predictions going into 2025.
Many fans were already getting excited about Sainz’s debut for Williams, and are predicting he could secure the team’s first podium finish since George Russell’s bizarre second place at the 2021 Beligian Grand Prix.
One fan wrote, ‘Sainz gets [a] podium in Williams,’ while another replied, ‘Williams podium (Sainz).’
Another fan believed Sainz would show his old team what they were missed and replied: ‘Sainz top 3 in the Williams beating both Ferraris.’
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Some fans believe that the Spaniard can go one better than just finishing on the podium, with one writing, ‘Sainz somehow drives a Williams to the top step,’ and another agreeing stating, ‘Carlos Sainz will win a race in 2025.’
While they didn’t necessarily state that he would win that race with Williams, it’s hard to see him switching teams this soon into his time with the team.
Another fan predicted that Sainz would reach the top step with the Grove-based team, stating, ‘Carlos Sainz will win a race in a Williams.’
James Vowles tempering Williams expectations ahead of Carlos Sainz debut
While Sainz will want to carry on his strong form from what could be described as his best season in Formula 1, that won’t be easy at Williams.
Vowles is happy to sacrifice 2025 ahead of 2026 when the regulations change significantly.
Williams aren’t going to be a front-running team this year, meaning any Sainz podium or even victory would need a unique set of circumstances.
READ MORE: All to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes ties
It’s going to be fascinating to see when teams being shifting their focus towards next year, with manufacturers closer to the back of the grid much more likely to make that switch sooner rather than later.
Vowles has already warned Sainz about this season, but it puts plenty of pressure on Williams moving up the standings in 2026, otherwise these sacrifices will be for nothing.
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