With Carlos Sainz lining up alongside Alex Albon at Williams next year, James Vowles, director of the Grove-based team, believes he will own “the best driver duo on the grid”.
After extending Alex Albon, James Vowles pulled off the big move of bringing Carlos Sainz, multiple Grand Prix winner, into the Williams project.
“In 2025, I think we will have the best driver duo on the starting grid”said James Vowles on the F1 podcast, Beyond the Grid.
“Franco [Colapinto] does a remarkable job. What he doesn’t have is the experience that Carlos [Sainz] will have, but he does a remarkable job.”
“I think that, not only to drive the car, but also to progress the team, we will have the best driver duo on the starting grid.”
“This will help us motivate ourselves and move forward. There are good developments underway, continuing into 2024 and 2025.”
Read also: Luca de Meo explains why Viry-Châtillon is not at Mercedes level
Sainz and Albon “both perform at a very high level”
Asked about his certainty of having the best driver duo in 2025, James Vowles explained the reasons which lead him to say this.
“This is my opinion on the matter”, says Vowles. “And I will explain the reasons for this to a certain extent.”
“First, they both perform at a very high level. I mean Carlos drove against all the drivers we just talked about. Against Lando [Norris chez McLaren]he performed well.”
“Against Charles [Leclerc chez Ferrari]he had his ups and downs. But it is there or almost there. There is practically nothing between these two drivers.”
“Against Max [Verstappen]the first year at Toro Rosso, he was exceptional. So it’s not that he hasn’t been challenged throughout his career. He has been challenged throughout his career and has stood his ground.”
Read also: Toto Wolff assures that he no longer wants to bring Max Verstappen for the moment
Sainz “moves the team forward” says Vowles
“But that’s not just what I’m basing myself on.”, continues James Vowles. “It’s not in the car, it’s outside the car.”
“In the short time I have known him, he has been driving the team forward. He wants to devote every minute of his time to making this team more and more efficient.”
“It’s a combination that isn’t necessarily available at the top and bottom of the grid. What I mean by that is that it’s not just about getting the car. It’s not my job.”
“My job is to make this organization successful. Tell me what more we can do. This is what I’m looking forward to. And Alex [Albon] is constructed in the same way.”
Read also: Singapore Commissioner Herbert details why Verstappen was sanctioned
