James Vowles doesn’t believe ‘for a second’ what Carlos Sainz said on the Williams pit wall in Melbourne

Carlos Sainz’s debut for Williams did not go as expected at the Australian Grand Prix. Nevertheless, the Grove-based outfit had a fantastic first weekend of 2025.

Pre-season testing showed encouraging signs from Williams as they looked to have taken a step forward. Sainz set the fastest time on day two in Bahrain, prompting many to believe they would move into the midfield in 2025.

The Grove outfit proved their pace at the Australian Grand Prix. Sainz and teammate Alex Albon made it to Q3 and qualified 10th and sixth respectively for the race.

It was the first time both Williams reached Q3 in Melbourne since 2005. However, their 2025 signing could not take advantage as Sainz spun under the safety car on the opening lap in the tricky conditions.

He crashed into the wall on the final corner, bringing an abrupt end to his Williams debut. Despite the accident, the Spaniard still played a vital part in the team’s result.

Sainz helped Albon’s strategy from the pit wall as he offered his insight on the changeable weather conditions. His information proved key as the Thai driver came home an impressive fifth in the race.

James Vowles doesn’t believe Carlos Sainz saying being on the pit wall was more ‘nerve-racking’ than driving in Melbourne

Damon Hill labelled Sainz a ‘star’ for giving his teammate a hand in what was a difficult race to navigate. The only downside was the 30-year-old was not on track to score what could have been a good haul of points.

The unpredictable weather caught out five other drivers than Sainz – four of which were new full-time drivers in 2025. Despite his crash, team principal James Vowles said the Spaniard told him it was more ‘nerve-racking’ being on the pit wall than driving the car.

Speaking on the official Williams YouTube channel, the boss does not believe his claim ‘for a second’, but stressed it was ‘great’ having him part of the team’s operation out of the cockpit.

“What Carlos was doing was trying to provide as much information as possible, be that about where he is on car performance, the conditions, what was coming in on the weather radar. And his insight was fantastic, it was useful, it was clear.

“He actually said it was more nerve-racking being up there on the pit wall [with] the amount of information coming in than driving in the car in those conditions, which I don’t believe for a second.

“But irrespective, it was great to have [him by] my side and really that’s what I want to bring into this. Whilst we’re all disappointed that Carlos’ race ended early, what I can say is all of the carriage pulled together in order to have the result that we did on Sunday.”

Carlos Sainz’s incredible impact on Williams and Alex Albon spurs them in good stead for the future

Williams have large aspirations for the future as they look to return to the front of the grid. The team have languished at the back for years, with their last win coming from Pastor Maldonado in Barcelona in 2012.

Vowles pulled off a coup in the driver market by signing Sainz from Ferrari to partner Albon. He now has two leaders capable of pushing each other and the team.

Sainz’s impact is already being felt at Grove – with Albon’s result in Melbourne being evidence of that. His insight helped guide his teammate to P5 and score seven fewer in one race than Williams managed all year in 2024.

Williams have noticed new ‘steeliness’ in Albon since his new teammate’s arrival. The Thai driver has not been pushed by the other side of the garage until last season when Franco Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant.

Now with Sainz on board and Williams already reaping the benefits, the team are in great shape to compete in 2025 and when the new regulations come into effect in 2026. Ferrari insiders think Williams will be strong thanks to Sainz’s feedback – and they are being proved right so far.