James Vowles shares what Carlos Sainz said to him about his F1 future amid Williams links

Follow us on Google Discover

The Formula 1 grid is very much taking shape for 2025 and one man could trigger every seat being filled in the next few weeks.

Carlos Sainz knows his time at Ferrari is coming to an end and will want to finish his final season with the Italian giants in the strongest possible fashion.

It’s no insult to Sainz’s ability that he’s being dropped for Lewis Hamilton, the winningest driver in the history of Formula 1.

However, it’s left him in an awkward position and had fans speculating for months where he might end up next.

A potential destination for the 29-year-old next season is alongside Alex Albon at Williams.

Team principal James Vowles was speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, about the three-time race winner.

It’s understood that Sainz and Williams might have agreed a one-year deal for 2025.

While Vowles wouldn’t go as far as to say that a deal had been done, he did admit that conversations had taken place.

Sainz’s camp have been spotted in the Williams motorhome at Spa although they’ll be keeping their options open until the very last moment.

Joining a team who have only scored points at two of the first 13 races this season is a real step down from Ferrari, but a necessary one in this instance.

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

James Vowles shares what Carlos Sainz told him about his Formula 1 future

Discussing the future of his driver line-up, Vowles said: “With Carlos, he can’t see much of that. What he looks at is what you can see externally. Where are you? Where do you qualify? Why did you have a bad race here? What’s going on here?

“He has one of the largest OEMs [Audi] in the world chasing him. That’s hard to turn down, an OEM that his father has won with at the same time. He has a team [Alpine] that has, let’s be clear about it, historically beaten us fundamentally.

“And again, that becomes hard to turn down. They won a race not that long ago. I can see that perspective on things.

“Here’s what he told me, which actually resonated the most – ‘The reason why I’m doing this is when I commit, I need to commit with all my heart and all my soul, 100%, and to do that means I can’t have any doubts’.

“And that’s why it’s taking the time. And that resonated with me a lot.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Williams boss James Vowles desperate for quick solution to 2025 driver line-up

In his interview with the press, Vowles went on to say that he wants to be able to confirm his complete driver line-up for next season before the end of next week.

Audi have previously made demands to Sainz and he’s never responded brilliantly to deadlines.

However, the team have yet to score a point this season in their current guise as Sauber which even though Vowles thinks they’re an appealing option for Sainz, makes them an even bigger project than Williams.

This all appears to be bad news for current driver Logan Sargeant.

Ted Kravitz suggested that Saturday’s qualifying might be Sargeant’s last in Formula 1 although Sainz won’t be switching teams until the end of the season.

Marcus Ericsson believes Sargeant is no longer on speaking terms with Vowles although the young American has denied this.

It appears as though Williams are ready to establish a new pairing as quickly as possible and Albon and Sainz will be one of the strongest pairings in the midfield if Williams can get a deal over the line.