James Vowles sets expectations for Carlos Sainz’s performance timeline

Williams team chief James Vowles claims that he “would be shocked” if Carlos Sainz takes more than five races to adapt to the FW46.

The Spanish driver joined Williams after a four-year stint with Ferrari before he was replaced by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. After the first two race weekends of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Sainz is still working to adapt to the new car and team.

While speaking to Sky Sports F1 during the live broadcast, Vowles explained:

“There’s planned changes on chassis on both cars because you effectively rotate it through across the season, but what we did find in China with him is a very specific driving style he’s carried over from the Ferrari, and I think this is our weakness.

“Ferrari allows you to combine a lot more on the front axle, our cars just not so much and actually, Alex has just organically driven around it or learned to drive around it in the last few years.

“The good news is I think you saw Carlos here was near enough on the money again, he was in testing, he wasn’t at the track. So we’ve found something, I just want to make sure it translates through to qualifying before we say anything more.”

Comparing Sainz’s situation to Hamilton’s as he adapts to Ferrari machinery, Vowles added:

“It’s exactly the same thing but inverse, it’s best I can put it to you. It’s just the direction you go down to get, basically, your package, your down force, your vehicle dynamics is different in concept and philosophy.

“As you can see, it still produces a fast car, but it does take quite a bit.”

Shooting down rumours that Sainz is running on a repaired chassis from 2024, Vowles continued:

“100% [there is no difference between the two chassis].

“Chassis, just to give you an idea, they go through about 350 kN tests. So even a large accident doesn’t get anywhere near close to that. There is nothing in the tubs or otherwise.

“Giving you more information there, both Alex and Carlos have now driven three different chassis, so it’s not in there.”

The 30-year-old driver has said that he is giving himself five to 10 races to fully adapt to the FW46. However, Vowles would be surprised if it takes that long.

“I’d be shocked if he needs five races. The way he operates, the way he thinks, the way he works, I know how he adapts his driving style. He won’t need that long. He’ll be on the money you’ll see pretty quickly.”

Photos from Japanese GP – Practice