Vowles reveals how he convinced Sainz to join Williams

Having secured the services of three-time F1 race winner Carlos Sainz, Williams team boss James Vowles has revealed how he managed to convince the Spaniard to join the Grove-based outfit.

After Ferrari announced in February that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz from 2025, the Spaniard has been linked with several outfits.

Following months-long paddock chatter, the talks ended after the Belgian Grand Prix when Williams confirmed that they secured the services of the three-time F1 race winner who will join the Grove-based outfit from Ferrari on a two-year agreement with options to extend.

Commenting on the announcement, Williams team boss James Vowles added: "Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties.

"Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upwards trajectory we are on. Carlos brings not just experience and performance, but also a fierce drive to extract every millisecond out of the team and car; the fit is perfect.

“In Alex and Carlos we will have one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid and with huge experience to guide us into the new regulations in 2026. Their belief in this organisation’s mission demonstrates the magnitude of the work going on behind the scenes.

"People should be in no doubt about our ambition and momentum as we continue our journey back to competitiveness – we are here, we are serious and with Dorilton’s backing we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid.

Speaking to F1.com, Vowles revealed that he has been in frequent contact with Sainz, explaining him how Williams want to turn their fortunes around after a series of tough seasons.

“All the way through – and it’s worth checking with Carlos as he’ll tell you the same thing – everything I have told him is the truth behind this project, so that means all the good bits and all the bad bits. It’s just been consistent from start to finish.

“This is who we are, this what we’re investing in, this why I believe in it, this is what it looks like in the future – do you want to be part of it?

“I believe in this project; I left the comfort of Mercedes to be here for good reason. We have a history that makes us the second-most successful team on the grid, we have real tangible investors who are serious behind this project, we want success and this is what success looks like.

"Fundamentally, the same couldn’t be said up and down the grid to the same level and the same requirements. And I think if no one takes this as a sign that Williams has changed, nothing will change you.”