Damon Hill explains why Williams 2025 lineup is the ‘perfect combination’

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Williams has finally confirmed its lineup for the 2025 season onwards after speculation over who they would pair with Alex Albon.

Carlos Sainz will join Albon after being ousted at Ferrari in favour of Lewis Hamilton, having been a number one target for team principal James Vowles.

Vowles spoke about the ’emotional swings’ he went through trying to get Sainz, after it was clear that most of the grid was after his signature.

Former F1 driver for Williams and 1996 World Champion Damon Hill has explained why Sainz was one of the best options to pair with Albon when speaking on the F1 Nation podcast.

Damon Hill expects Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz to thrive at Williams

Albon also signed a contract extension with Williams earlier in the season to take him into the 2026 season and beyond, having established himself as their leading driver following success with them in the last two years.

Hill expects his partnership with Sainz will enable Williams to progress further up the grid, as they look to return to their glory years not seen since the 1990s.

“The dynamic, how it would work with Alex. That is also really important, putting two people together who work together in a team like Williams at the stage they are now, you need those guys to work together.

“I think they are a perfect combination. I can see these two, they’re both pretty grown-up individuals and competitive and hard workers. I think they’ll complement each other brilliantly.”

Alex Albon will continue to lead Williams

Sainz has enjoyed being on par with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, largely because of how close they are on performance.

Former F1 strategist Bernie Collins expects Albon will continue to be the team leader at Williams initially, having already settled into the environment.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes relationship

However, once Sainz is up to speed the possibility of both drivers being treated equally will likely be a target for Vowles given the competitiveness of the Spaniard.

Such a dynamic could have implications for a team like Williams, who have previously suffered a spare parts shortage onsite at races, notably leading to the withdrawal of Logan Sargeant at the Australian GP.

It also took a few races before Sargeant was given equal machinery to Albon this season, which would likely need to be adjusted when a top driver like Sainz comes into the team.