Carlos Sainz has reported to Williams to continue his preparations for the 2025 Formula 1 season. He’s one of many drivers visiting the factory with winter testing less than a month away.
Sainz has already had the chance to drive Williams’ car. Ferrari gave him permission to test the FW46 in Abu Dhabi following the season finale.
Williams will launch their 2025 challenger on Valentine’s Day, albeit with a bespoke livery ahead of the F175 event in London. It’s feasible that Sainz will complete some shakedown mileage at Silverstone.
Failing that, he’ll split the three-day Bahrain programme with Alex Albon at the end of the month. Sainz knows that 2025 could be a year of pain as Williams play the long game.
The Grove outfit finished second from bottom in last year’s constructors’ championship. But Alpine, Haas and Racing Bulls were all close enough to be legitimate targets for the upcoming campaign.
In-season development may be limited, with James Vowles repeatedly emphasising that he’s focused on the 2026 regulation changes. With a Mercedes engine in the back, Williams want to be winning races in 2027.
James Vowles welcomes Carlos Sainz to Williams as factory work begins
Sainz made his first official visit to Williams’ HQ last week. He introduced himself to his new colleagues, having only met members of the trackside team thus far.
A photo shared by Vowles on Instagram also shows Sainz addressing staff with a microphone. They may look to him as a leader this year given his achievements in F1.
The Spaniard joins as a four-time Grand Prix winner with 27 podium finishes. Williams haven’t had a driver this successful since Felipe Massa, who also joined from Ferrari.
Albon has been the no. 1 driver ever since Vowles took over. But he needs to prove he can compete with an elite teammate after a brutal experience against Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Addressing his flagship new signing, Vowles wrote: “Welcome to Grove, Carlos.”
Did Ferrari just pay subtle Carlos Sainz tribute in Lewis Hamilton video?
Williams have already called Sainz’s arrival ‘a blessing’, which suggests he’s totally devoted to the project. He’s had to recalibrate after targeting victories at Ferrari.
But Sainz is only human. If he watches Charles Leclerc or replacement Lewis Hamilton standing on the top step next year, it will hurt – especially because he did enough to keep his seat.
Ferrari paid a subtle tribute to Sainz in a promotional video for their new line-up. It featured a clock ticking from 55 seconds, potentially a nod to the Spaniard’s race number.
Indeed, there’s every indication that he left on good terms. Ferrari even gifted Sainz their 2022 car to commemorate his first race win at the British GP.
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