Williams Secures a Game-Changer in Carlos Sainz for the 2025 Season

Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz has become the coveted addition to the Williams team for the 2025 season, not for his race wins, but for his strategic and technical expertise. The recent Saudi Arabia Grand Prix showcased this perfectly when Sainz strategically aided his teammate, Alex Albon, ensuring a strong finish for .

The DRS Tactic: A Winning Strategy

In the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, Sainz demonstrated a similar tactic by towing Lando Norris to secure a crucial win. This time, the stakes were lower, but equally important for Williams‘ fifth place standing in the constructors’ championship.

As Williams prepares its 2025 car with limited resources, building a strong points tally early will be crucial for its final championship position, especially if competing teams improve throughout the season.

Adapting to the Williams: A Learning Curve for Sainz

Sainz’s transition to the Williams team has been a learning process, particularly in understanding the car’s unique handling compared to his previous experiences with different powertrains. However, he appears to be getting the hang of it, as evidenced by his strong qualifying performance in Jeddah.

Despite some initial challenges, Sainz has shown a more circumspect approach in races, focusing on strategic positioning rather than unnecessary battles that could jeopardize his standing.

The DRS Tactic: A Risky but Effective Strategy

In the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Sainz was asked to give Albon a DRS advantage to prevent Isack Hadjar from passing Williams. Although this exposed him to potential risks, it ultimately paid off, allowing Sainz to showcase his pace in the final laps.

While Sainz is confident in his own strategies, he admitted feeling slightly apprehensive when the decision comes from the team, as it doesn’t feel entirely natural. However, he believes they made the right call in this instance.

A Promising Future for Williams with Sainz on Board

In recent years, Williams has struggled to capitalize on its potential due to car and driver issues. However, with Sainz now fully integrated into the team and a competitive midfield car, ‘ future looks brighter. Vowles’ behind-the-scenes reforms may take time to bear fruit, but the early signs are promising.

Races like Jeddah serve as a testament to why Williams pursued Sainz for so long. With their star driver now up to speed, is poised for more regular payoffs if the FW47 remains competitive in 2025.