James Vowles admits he’s holding back Carlos Sainz at Williams for one important reason

Carlos Sainz’s arrival at Williams has given the team arguably one of the most balanced and strongest driver pairings on the 2025 grid.

The Spaniard’s exit from Ferrari was confirmed before the 2024 season got underway as the Maranello outfit signed Lewis Hamilton. After his comeback win from appendicitis in Australia, Sainz became the hottest free agent on the driver market.

After interest from Sauber/Audi, the 30-year-old opted to join Williams. Sainz has signed a long-term contract with the Grove-based outfit to partner with Alex Albon.

The four-time Grand Prix winner got to work with his new team in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi. Sainz impressed fans with the detailed feedback he gave his engineers, helping them to find the right setup with the car.

Williams engineers have labelled Sainz’s arrival as ‘a blessing’ as the team are hoping to take a huge stride forward over the next few seasons.

With Albon alongside the Spaniard, the Grove-based squad have ‘two leaders’ that have already had a significant impact on morale and performance. But Williams boss James Vowles is cautious about the team’s current trajectory.

James Vowles is holding back Carlos Sainz as Williams may be getting ‘carried away’

Vowles has looked to transform the organisation on and off the track and build the team back to the front of the field.

Williams finished ninth in the constructors’ championship in 2024 but showed encouraging signs with their package towards the end of the season. With Sainz now in the team, they could leap forward and challenge their rivals.

But speaking on the red carpet at the Autosport awards, Vowles admitted he is ‘holding back’ his drivers because they are getting ‘carried away’ with where the team could be in the future.

Asked how Williams’ preparations were going with Albon and Sainz, Vowles said: “Good. I was with them this morning, we’re just having a review of what we’re doing in the year, how the car’s changed.

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“And the dynamic in the room is tangibly different to anything that’s been there since I’ve been at the team. We’ve got two leaders who are pressing each other and pressing the team now for every detail that we’ve got to start pulling out.

“And I love that, that’s what I’m here for. I’m here for [the] challenge day to day, I’m absolutely fired up and motivated for this team being a success.

“I’m almost having to hold them back a little bit because we’re getting carried away with what could be.

“And the reality is we still keep building. We’re still getting technology, infrastructure, people, culture. But it is great to have both of them on board and I’m excited for Melbourne to come towards us”.

Could things get ‘uncomfortable’ for Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at Williams?

Sainz grabbed two wins and nine podiums in his final season with Ferrari in 2024. Heading into his first campaign with Williams, he will be looking to stamp his authority against Albon.

The Thai driver has been the team’s number one driver since joining in 2022. Albon considerably outperformed teammates Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant as he scored the bulk of Williams’ points.

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But after Franco Colapinto replaced the latter in 2024, the 28-year-old was put under pressure by the Argentine. Mistakes were common from Albon as Colapinto beat him four times in his nine appearances last year.

Now with Sainz on board, the Thai driver will face even more pressure to perform. Daniel Juncadella thinks Sainz will expose Albon in 2025, labelling him as ‘overrated’.

Martin Brundle says things could get ‘uncomfortable’ at Williams with their two drivers looking to get the edge over each other.