Sainz’s ideas already bring “real momentum” to Williams – Vowles

Carlos Sainz’s impression is already being felt throughout the Williams System 1 squad, group principal James Vowles has acknowledged.

Sainz has moved to Williams alongside Alex Albon this 12 months after racing for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari throughout his first 10 seasons in F1, having been changed by Lewis Hamilton on the Maranello-based outfit for the 2025 season.

The veteran really made his Williams debut on the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi, and revealed he was already excited about easy methods to enhance his future automobile when racing his final laps with Ferrari. 

“He is relishing it,” Vowles informed Motorsport.com on the Autosport Awards earlier this week.

“You could possibly see from the second he jumped within the automobile in Abu Dhabi, his thoughts switched. That is the place he desires to be, that is what he desires to do, he is a part of our success story. He is becoming in completely.

“He is a superb character who, with him, brings not solely race-winning pedigree however this need and need for Williams to achieve success.

“I used to be there with him this morning, with Alex and myself, for 3, 4 hours – simply speaking by means of plans for the 12 months, what we have modified, the place we’re going.”

Sainz has been at work with the group on the Grove manufacturing unit since final month, and Vowles has already been impressed together with his new driver’s enter.

“His contributions – as are Alex’s as nicely – are completely key for driving this group ahead, as a result of it is now right into a degree of element the place you are beginning to chase milliseconds versus the big-ticket gadgets we work for,” Vowles added.

“Already within the house of only a few weeks, actual optimistic momentum from concepts, ideas, how we will change, how we will transfer ahead, is coming.”

Sainz is only the fourth driver ever to race Ferrari, McLaren and Williams vehicles in his profession.

Whereas he wasn’t all the time dominant when it comes to pure tempo in comparison with Lando Norris at McLaren and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, the Spaniard performed a key function in making these groups higher, Vowles claimed – with the Scuderia contending for the title final 12 months, which was a primary since 2018.

“He additionally would not depart a stone unturned,” the Briton stated. “I imply, there is a statistic up on the F1 channel in the present day the place you have a look at all of the groups he is been to and the place they’ve ended up. It isn’t a coincidence. He is a tough employee, a diligent employee that brings with him success – and he desires us to achieve success.”