Carlos Sainz may feel like stepping away from a title-challenging Ferrari Formula 1 car for 2025 and moving to Williams is a big downgrade.
At least, on paper it is, but Ted Kravitz believes Williams will step up when he arrives and that they won’t be backmarkers for as long as the Spaniard is around.
Sainz felt stronger than Lewis Hamilton who Ferrari picked to replace him with, but it’s easy to understand the allure of a seven-time champion of the sport.
What it does mean is that he has to face Alex Albon instead of Charles Leclerc every weekend, which should be a slightly easier task for him.
David Croft said Williams’ 2025 have already taken pain after crash damage at the end of this season, reducing their budget for next year’s car, which might make Sainz and Albon’s time a bit trickier.
Guenther Steiner says Carlos Sainz signing for Williams is a ‘winning lottery ticket’
For a team which has struggled towards the back for so long signing someone like Carlos Sainz is significant for one key reason.
It aligns with their visions of competing at the front of the Formula 1 field in a few seasons, and Sainz’s experience of doing so will be vital on that journey.
His feedback and knowledge in car development gives them an edge over their midfield rivals, and it’s something that Guenther Steiner told Champ1 could be like winning the lottery.
READ MORE: Eddie Jordan reveals what tearful Carlos Sainz Sr told him after his son’s final race for Ferrari
“Williams really got a winning lottery ticket with Carlos now in the team because he will definitely work hard to bring the team forward,” he said.
To make the team [better] or not, I can’t say that, I don’t know exactly what’s going on at Williams. But, as a worker and someone who also has the experience of a good team, you always have to remember that Carlos was at Red Bull and Ferrari.
“That’s it, already experience from big teams that you can help in a team like Williams.”
What can Williams expect from the 2025 F1 season with Carlos Sainz?
James Vowles admitted Sainz’s Williams arrival impacts their 2025 focus, as they look to push the boundaries of car development more.
In an ideal world, they will be competitive next year, but their real focus remains on the 2026 season with the arrival of new technical regulations.
Williams competing for a championship in 2026 would be optimistic at this stage, but Brawn GP is a great example of how a rule change can completely shake things up.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz told he made a big mistake by rejecting 27-podium F1 team with more ‘clout’ than Williams
Formerly Honda in the 2008 season, they turned up in after being bought out for £1, developed the fastest car and won both championships in their only season as a team.
It’s a cautionary tale to Williams’ rivals that they could emulate that sort of success if they really are putting all of their resources into 2026.
Leave feedback about this