Trusting instincts: Sainz's move to join Williams

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands -- Carlos Sainz has revealed that a strong gut feeling was the driving force behind his decision to join Williams for the upcoming season. This intuition, which previously hinted at McLaren's future success upon his 2021 departure, played a pivotal role in his move after constructive discussions with the team's executives.

Sainz, set to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year, has inked a multi-season contract with Williams following months of speculation regarding his future. Although Williams has experienced a downturn in performance in recent years, team principal James Vowles is committed to restoring the iconic team's competitive stature in the near future.

Sainz expressed his belief in Williams' vision and trajectory.

"I've always had the feeling during all those negotiations, I always had Williams in the back of my head as I always had that good feeling with James [Vowles] and the investment group Dorilton," Sainz stated during his first media session post-announcement.

He added, "For me, it was important people also; I've learned over the years in Formula One to trust in my feeling about people also. I remember when I left McLaren in 2020, I felt like the team was moving forward and was going to be successful in the future, having spent time working with Zak Brown and Andrea Stella."

Reflecting on McLaren’s ascent, Sainz explained, "When I left McLaren, I said they might not be winning next year or the following year, but this team with these people are going to be winning soon. Four years later, they're performing at an incredibly high level. I had this feeling at that time, and now I have this feeling about the people and the culture in Williams. I need to trust that feeling, and this is what I committed to."

The prospect of revitalizing Williams fuels Sainz's motivation.

"I took the decision because Williams is the team that from the beginning I had a very good feeling and very good conversations with. They're a team very committed to F1 with a very strong project, strong leadership, and the will to bring back a historic Formula One team with the pedigree Williams has back to the front is something that motivates me."

He continued, "It motivated me when I went to McLaren and when I went to Ferrari when it was down the grid after a tough 2020, and it motivates me now to do a project like Williams. I cannot wait, and I think it's going to be an interesting few years in my career."

Following the announcement, Vowles disclosed that he initially approached Sainz at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of last season and prioritized securing the Spaniard's signature.

"It was very important, obviously he's the leader of the project, and he has the vision and he shared that vision. He convinced me. He did a very good job in that sense into convincing me and into sharing the vision he has and the project he has in mind with me," Sainz noted.

"I think we are relatively similar characters in that we are both very analytical, very fair and open, and he convinced me, as simple as that."

As Sainz prepares for this exciting new chapter with Williams, his confidence in the team's potential and leadership stands steadfast.

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