James Vowles spotted having dinner with potential Williams target as Carlos Sainz considers future

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Williams boss James Vowles was “spotted” in talks with a potential Williams target over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, according to a report.

The sighting comes amid Carlos Sainz’s restlessness at the midfield F1 team. He was promised a competitive car in 2026 by Vowles, but the British constructor’s failure to deliver on that promise has caused Sainz to look for greener pastures.

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As such, Vowles has been keeping close tabs on the current state of the driver market. While the big names are already locked in for 2027, the 47-year-old has reportedly turned his attention to a former Williams driver in the case that Sainz does depart at the end of 2026.

• READ MORE: Carlos Sainz’s stock in the F1 driver market has just taken a huge hit

Williams boss seen having dinner with Franco Colapinto amid Carlos Sainz uncertainty

Following Williams’ subpar start to the current F1 campaign, it emerged that Sainz is “ready” to sign for Audi “at any time”. The Spaniard snubbed the German constructor in favour of the Grove-based outfit ahead of 2025, and is now seemingly regretting his decision.

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According to a report by the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, Vowles is already planting the seeds that he will use to replace 31-year-old if Sainz’s wishes of an exit do, in fact, come to fruition.

The report notes that Vowles was ‘spotted dining’ with Franco Colapinto after the day’s running had concluded on Friday at the Belgian Grand Prix. On top of that, ‘representatives of the two parties’ met again on Saturday morning.

Despite a relatively strong showing so far this year, Colapinto’s current seat is understood to be in danger after it emerged that Flavio Briatore is keen on bringing Fernando Alonso back into the fold at Alpine following his exit at the end of 2022.

F1’s silly season is once again shaping up to be a game of musical chairs, with Alonso’s decision on whether he will continue racing understood to be the key to any driver movements that occur in the midfield.

• READ MORE: Flavio Briatore says he has always ‘protected’ Franco Colapinto amid Fernando Alonso rumours

Colapinto is reportedly on a ‘multi-year’ deal at Alpine, but it is also understood that his future at the team remains at Briatore’s discretion. If the Italian executive pulls the trigger on Alonso, he will then need Sainz to make a decision in his favour to remain on the grid.

However, if Sainz decides to take up the option in his current contract to remain with Williams into 2027, the young Argentine may see his options for next year evaporate into thin air.