When Carlos Sainz was left without a seat following Ferrari’s headline-grabbing move to sign Lewis Hamilton for 2025, many saw it as a tough break for the four-time race winner. But for James Vowles, Team Principal at Williams, it was a golden opportunity — and one that’s already paying off beyond imagination.
“I think we’re getting more than I paid for,” Vowles revealed during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend — and he meant every word.
Since joining the Grove-based outfit, Sainz has impressed far beyond the stopwatch. While fans and pundits are watching his lap times, Vowles is seeing something even more valuable: a driver who’s becoming a cornerstone of the team’s resurgence.
“He’s working with our aerodynamicists, our race engineers, and pretty much every corner of the organisation to squeeze out every last millisecond,” Vowles said. “That’s exactly why I wanted him here — and he’s delivering above expectations.”
While the adjustment from Ferrari to Williams’ FW47 is ongoing, the signs are promising. Sainz is adapting steadily to the team’s setup, and though Vowles acknowledges that it takes time, he’s confident the Spaniard will soon be firing on all cylinders.
“In terms of raw performance, he’s making progress every weekend. But it’s the behind-the-scenes work — the dedication, the collaboration — that’s left me very impressed,” Vowles explained.
And it’s not just about Sainz. Williams as a whole has started the 2025 campaign on the front foot. The team sits a strong fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, having scored points at all three opening rounds. Alex Albon has been a consistent top-10 finisher, while Sainz added to the tally in China — all signs of a team stepping into a new era.
“Our focus is on 2026,” Vowles admitted. “But despite that, we’ve produced a car capable of fighting for points now — and that’s no small feat in today’s ultra-competitive grid. We’re talking about battles that come down to milliseconds.”
Still, the team isn’t resting on early success. Vowles believes that once Sainz is fully settled, Williams could become a true midfield force — or more.
“There’s still work to do to help Carlos feel completely at home in the car,” he said. “But when that happens — when both drivers are fully in sync — we’re going to be a serious threat.”
For now, though, Sainz’s quiet transformation of Williams is already turning heads in the paddock — and leaving one team principal more than a little thrilled with his latest recruit.
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