Carlos Sainz Reveals Why He Chose Williams Over McLaren for F1 2025
Read next: Formula 1 World Champions — A legacy of racing legends
Carlos Sainz reveals the instinct behind his decision to join Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 season, citing the team's project and leadership as key factors. Read more about his move from McLaren to Williams.
Carlos Sainz has revealed the key factors behind his decision to leave McLaren and join Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 season. Reflecting on his departure from McLaren, Sainz spoke about how the “instinct” he trusted ultimately guided him to choose Williams, a team that he believes has the right combination of project and people to propel them back to the front of the F1 grid.
The Instinct Behind Sainz’s Decision
Sainz made the move from McLaren to Ferrari for the 2021 season, a period during which McLaren was still fighting in the midfield. However, McLaren’s fortunes took a major turn, and they were crowned Formula 1 Constructors’ Champions last season, narrowly defeating Ferrari by just 14 points. Despite McLaren’s success, Sainz admits that his decision to leave the team was influenced by his belief in their future potential, which was part of the reason he trusted his instincts when it came to his next move.
After negotiating with several teams for a 2025 seat, Sainz chose to join Williams, who finished ninth in the Constructors’ standings in 2024. While Williams is still in the process of rebuilding, the team has made significant strides behind the scenes to enhance their performance and return to competitiveness in Formula 1. The multi-year deal with Williams sees Sainz partner with Alex Albon for the 2025 season, a pairing that many believe could help elevate the team in the coming years.
The Importance of the Project and People
When Sainz reflected on his decision-making process, he emphasized the importance of the project and the people involved with the team. In a behind-the-scenes video on his first day at the Williams factory, Sainz shared his thoughts with team principal James Vowles.
“For me, what was fundamental was not so much the short term at the beginning, when I was having to take such an important decision,” Sainz said. “I was very focused on which team was going to be quicker in 2025. Who was generating more downforce? Who is finding out stuff that is going to make them quicker?”
However, Sainz ultimately realized that the key to his decision lay in the strength of Williams’ project and leadership. After discussing the future vision of the team with Vowles, he was convinced that Williams was on the right path.
“When I started discussing more in detail with James, I realised that he had put together a very strong project here in Williams,” Sainz explained. “He was forming a team with a vision, with a project, together with Dorilton [Capital, team owners], that I think is going to bring this team back to the front with very strong leadership, with a vision that immediately, from the beginning, made me, let’s say, fall in love with the project and trust his leadership.”
Reflecting on McLaren’s Success
Sainz also took time to reflect on his time at McLaren and the team’s subsequent success after he left. He noted that, despite his departure, McLaren’s potential was always evident, and he never doubted their ability to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
“I remember when I left McLaren, I really thought there was really good people there, and that team could be World Champion in the future,” Sainz stated. “McLaren ended up being World Champion last year, and I said: ‘Okay, I need to trust my instinct.’”
Sainz’s ability to trust his instincts is something that has guided him through his F1 career, and it was no different when he made the decision to join Williams. He believes in the team’s backing and the strength of the people behind it, which gave him the confidence to make the move.
Williams’ Ambitious Future in Formula 1
With Sainz now officially part of the team, the future looks promising for Williams F1. While the team finished ninth in the Constructors' Championship last season, the leadership and strategic vision set out by James Vowles and the backing from Dorilton Capital has made the team a rising force in the paddock. Sainz’s arrival adds further weight to their efforts to improve their performance and challenge for more competitive positions in the coming seasons.
The team’s multi-year deal with Sainz signals their long-term ambitions and their commitment to returning to the front of the grid. With a strong pairing of Sainz and Albon, Williams has positioned itself to make significant progress in the 2025 Formula 1 season and beyond.
The Road Ahead for Carlos Sainz and Williams
As Sainz embarks on this new chapter with Williams, his focus will be on helping the team close the gap to the front-running teams in Formula 1. The 2025 season will be a crucial year for Williams as they look to build on their progress and establish themselves as a consistent competitor.
Sainz’s decision to join Williams is not just about the team’s current performance but about his belief in the direction the team is headed. With a clear vision and strong leadership, Williams could very well return to prominence in Formula 1, and Sainz will be a key player in that journey.
Up Next
