Williams team boss James Vowles claimed that Carlos Sainz is one of the top four and even two drivers on the current grid. The Spaniard recently signed for the British team for the 2025 F1 season.
Ever since Ferrari announced Lewis Hamilton for 2025 before the 2024 F1 season began, Sainz has been a free agent looking for his future team to continue in the sport. Because of his impressive on-track record, teams like Audi, Mercedes, Williams, and Alpine reportedly approached him. However, the Ferrari driver took his time to decide his future.
Eventually, after the Belgian GP, Williams officially announced that they had successfully hired Sainz for 2025 and beyond. The Spaniard will replace the struggling Logan Sargeant, who is yet to score a single point in the 2024 F1 season.
Speaking to the media after acquiring Sainz, Williams boss Vowles said that he was surprised that none of the top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes were pushing to get Sainz. He added that he believes Sainz is one of the top four drivers on the grid, and even among the top two at times.
“Yes [I was surprised], is the short answer to it because I rate him as one of the top four if not at times the number two driver on the grid. Why wouldn’t you want that in your stable?” Vowles said.
He explained that since the grid has been bunched up recently, in terms of performance, marginal differences have started to matter a lot more.
“My view of things is that fundamentally competitors are getting closer and closer so the marginal difference that a driver can make. I don’t just mean in performance terms. Every team he’s been in has improved significantly, and I get why spending the last nine months talking to him,” he added.
James Vowles would have chosen Carlos Sainz as Sergio Perez’s replacement at Red Bull if he had been in charge
Though Carlos Sainz has signed for Williams, James Vowles was surprised that top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes did not push harder to hire the Spaniard.
Speaking to the media after Sainz’s announcement, the Williams head honcho said that if he had been in Red Bull and had to defend the constructors’ championship, he would have hired Sainz to race alongside Max Verstappen.
“When you’re in Red Bull’s position where you’ve got a constructors’ championship at risk. It’s a hard decision but yes, I would have Carlos alongside Max,” Vowles said.
As of now, Sainz drives for Ferrari and stands in fifth place with 162 points after the Belgian GP. His teammate Charles Leclerc is in third place with 177 points.
Edited by Eeshaan Tiwary
