Williams team principal James Vowles is already convinced of Carlos Sainz’s abilities, but McLaren’s Andrea Stella still took the opportunity to highlight the Ferrari driver’s strengths during a break at a rainy Canadian Grand Prix on Friday.
With seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari to join Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz finds himself without a seat at Maranello for the next season.
When Sainz became available, he was highly sought after, considered a potential replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull or a candidate for Hamilton’s spot at Mercedes.
However, some options have since closed. Perez recently signed a two-year extension to stay with Red Bull as a support for world champion Max Verstappen, and Mercedes is reportedly ready to promote young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli.
Despite these developments, Sainz remains an attractive option for many teams.
“Carlos is an exceptional driver,” Vowles remarked. “He’s a race-winning driver. I think any team would be privileged to have him as part of their organization.” Vowles did not disclose whether Williams is pursuing Sainz, stating, “There’s nothing to say at the moment.”
Sainz’s potential destinations are now believed to be narrowed down to Williams and Sauber, which will become Audi in 2026. Stella, who worked with Sainz during his tenure at McLaren, praised the Spaniard during a team principal press conference on Friday, catching Vowles’ attention.
“Carlos is an interesting driver, not only for his race-winning qualities but also because he is very rational,” Stella said. “He needs to create a plan in his head around what is the fastest way in a lap, what is the fastest way of racing. He adds a lot of rationality to his instinct. This rational elaboration makes it easy to communicate, which becomes a significant asset for the team.”
Currently, Williams has no opening, with Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant under contract. However, Vowles hinted that a vacancy could arise if Sargeant does not meet performance expectations.
“Is he where I need him to be target-wise?” Vowles questioned. “That’s the big question. We need more from him to be able to save his seat.”
As the season progresses, the future of several drivers remains uncertain, with team principals closely monitoring performances and market movements. Sainz’s next move will be watched with great interest, as he continues to be regarded as a valuable addition to any team.
Main Image: Door XaviYuahanda – Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107964475
Click here to check out EU TODAY’S SPORTS PAGE!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
