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I think it's probably his best choice to continue to display his talents to hopefully secure a top seat. This is probably the best route as his choices: Alpine, Audi and Williams are probably not winning a world championship soon
His contract supposedly contains a clause that allows him to leave Williams if a significantly better constructor makes an offer to him. This makes sense as Sainz was in a very strong position coming into negotiations with Williams
Of the options actually available to him, Williams is probably the best. Williams reminds me a bit of the McLaren of a few years ago. They are rebuilding and putting in place many of the things a successful organization needs and should have something to show for it, perhaps as early as 2026.
Audi are too much of an unknown and if current reports and rumors are to be believed, they are not nearly as far along as they should be.
Alpine, if that was an option, hasn't yet got to the phase that Williams is at. They seem to be going backward still have too much instability, especially at the top. With them shutting down their engine program, it doesn't bode well.
If it was down to merit, Sainz should have been in Perez's car next year. Definitely a better choice than Ric or Perez, but it is what it is.
Merc could not take him because if they did, they'd effectively be stating that the driver that Ferrari no longer wanted would be replacing the driver that was taken from them. It's a bad look, and one that Toto's ego wouldn't allow.
F1 is a crucible and cutthroat (unless you have a billionaire father)
Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.
Sainz already in all the top teams, McLaren, Ferrari, Renault etc. I do see he is fading away from F1. It is better to try do 2026 and leave the sport... no one will going to pick him from Willams. People will forgot him once he is in Williams and struggling to get out from Q3. So it is a degrade situation. He may be aware of what is coming in Ferrari. He should have played safe with Lecrec. example what happened to Vettel? It is game over for him in F1. There are lots of young F1 drivers lining up to take the challenges so I doubt he will get better seat in leading team in future.
My take is that in reality this is Sainz competitive F1 career over. He'd be lucky to win another race after 2024, unless something happens at Red Bull.
- He isn't going back to Ferrari in the future. They have Bearman following in the footsteps of Leclerc anyway.
- Mercedes passed him over now, they aren't hiring him in the future. They'll have a futureproof line-up in RUS/ANT.
- Mclaren also have a future proof line-up NOR/PIA.
- Aston Martin seems to want Verstappen after Alonso retires. But lets see.
Audi is at risk of having both a slow engine and chassis and a sloppy race team which struggles to change tyres. They have just changed senior management. It will takes years for them to be a competitive option.
Enstone .. it's anyones guess who will own the team in the future, what state they'll be in and which drivers they want.
Williams was the only stable option with a solid outlook, guaranteed good PU, long-term leadership and investment.
They're happy to have him, he'll feel he can contribute and he'll have a good time being there. Only risk is getting beaten by Albon which very quickly will hurt his reputation.
My take is that in reality this is Sainz competitive F1 career over.
That is my feeling too.
But F1 is extremelly difficult to predict when there´s a significant rule change, none knows what will be the team order with new rules, so I´ll try to keep my expectations somewhat high, always keeping in mind it´s Williams
My take is that in reality this is Sainz competitive F1 career over.
That is my feeling too.
But F1 is extremelly difficult to predict when there´s a significant rule change, none knows what will be the team order with new rules, so I´ll try to keep my expectations somewhat high, always keeping in mind it´s Williams
You mean post-Excel Williams?
Dunno...I can not see them anywhere competitive. Their operations still needs years of improvements, just with an ERP program this is not on par with other F1 teams.
Their only chance again is a lucky shot with a mighty Merc engine. Then Sainz can try to snatch some podium as Massa did.
What do you all think of Sainz moving to Willams?? Do you think he had a better chance with another team?
Not much.
It is the best gamble at the moment.
Alpine is not good. Sauber /Audi is extreme risk best to give them three years. Aston has Alonso. Haas is interesting but best to observe 1 more year under Komatsu.
Of the options actually available to him, Williams is probably the best. Williams reminds me a bit of the McLaren of a few years ago. They are rebuilding and putting in place many of the things a successful organization needs and should have something to show for it, perhaps as early as 2026.
Audi are too much of an unknown and if current reports and rumors are to be believed, they are not nearly as far along as they should be.
Alpine, if that was an option, hasn't yet got to the phase that Williams is at. They seem to be going backward still have too much instability, especially at the top. With them shutting down their engine program, it doesn't bode well.
If it was down to merit, Sainz should have been in Perez's car next year. Definitely a better choice than Ric or Perez, but it is what it is.
Merc could not take him because if they did, they'd effectively be stating that the driver that Ferrari no longer wanted would be replacing the driver that was taken from them. It's a bad look, and one that Toto's ego wouldn't allow.
F1 is a crucible and cutthroat (unless you have a billionaire father)
I do agree. Willams used to be a really good championship team, and they could still have that chance of redemption in upcoming seasons. And with Audi joining, there is no doubt that they will have potential complications with the car. Same with merc you had a good point about Toto.
