When romance clouds judgment: Carlos Sainz to Williams
It’s no secret that the summer break has started with some of the biggest news expected in Formula One, perhaps only second to the long awaiting decision about Hamilton’s replacement, Carlos Sainz is set to race for Williams in 2025 and beyond. So, going from the extravagant red Ferrari to the romantic historical Williams, what does this mean for Carlos Sainz? Lets look at the good, the bad, and the romanticism of Williams that has clouded peoples judgment.
After a shock replacement by Lewis Hamilton in 2025, Sainz was quickly thrown to the drivers market to secure a spot for his future in Formula One. Most speculations came down to a one year contract until the arrival of Audi in 2026, however, after the Spaniards reveal fans were shocked to discover a multi-year contract with Williams long beyond the German manufacturers arrival. So what does Sainz gain by signing with Williams over Alpine, Haas or even Audi? Well, stability and experience. This is not to say Williams are in a position to fight for podiums like Sainz is used to, but over a team like Audi, Williams have the advantage of a lifetime of experience. Similarly, Williams have worked under the tune of James Vowles for [] without worry of another change of managment, something that has plagued Alpine and Haas recently. It seems that this would be of appeal to Sainz under the pretence that Vowles seems to be here to stay. Ultimately, Williams seems to be the best solution to the awkward position Sainz had found himself in. It could be argued that this is a tie with Alpine, but with a change in technical development for the upcoming seasons the appeal to Williams is clear.
Perhaps the biggest benefit for Sainz in choosing Williams is the likelihood of an exit clause in the contract. A team crippling with financial issues like Williams would be unrealistic to not offer Sainz an exit clause if the big guns come knocking, it would be no surprise that the arrival of the Spaniard is running them dry. Also, the possibility of an exit contract gives Sainz the opportunity to evaluate the front runners of the grid in 2026 while still having a position himself.
That is about where the good ends.
Williams are crumbling under the pressures of financial problems. In fact, their financial struggles are making fans wonder just how they have secured Sainz; the likelihood being that the Spaniard has taken a significant pay cut. Often a pay cut would be something that could be looked over, but Sainz has likely taken a pay cut to never seen the podium again. Williams have struggled to provide its current line up of Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant with the same car so far this season because of its financial difficulties. The consensus from fans is that this is an astronomical downgrade for Carlos.
This brings it to the biggest reason behind this potential downgrade. Williams has, above all, a romantic history. Carlos Sainz himself claimed: “I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport.” A team once on top of the world has nothing but appeal to drivers on the grid who spent their childhoods watching Prost, Senna and many other greats take a seat in a Williams to secure a championship. However, that is long gone now, nothing but a glamourous history that seems to have completely clouded Sainz judgment.
Title image from Last Word on Sports.
