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Vowles explains why Sainz is the number one target for Williams in 2025
James Vowles has publicly admitted for the first time Williams' top target for a 2025 seat alongside Alex Albon - Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard lost his Ferrari drive after it was confirmed Lewis Hamilton will join the Scuderia for 2025.
Vowles full of praise for Sainz
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 after FP3 in Canada, Williams team principal Vowles confirmed that Sainz is top of his wishlist for 2025. Vowles was full of praise for the Spanish driver, who was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a Grand Prix in 2023.
"He's a race winning driver that last year against all odds beat Max in Singapore with a brilliant drive," began Vowles: "That's not the first time. He's intelligent in how he processes things, logical, incredibly quick.
Vowles also reflected back to Shanghai this year, where Sainz crashed in Q2, but still beat his teammate Charles Leclerc in Q3. "He's an impressive athlete that can reset themselves, go back out and then beat your teammate in that condition. I think that shows you just how strong he is as a driver. I think any team on the grid would be fortunate to have someone like Carlos alongside them."
How will Vowles attract Sainz to Williams?
"Mainly my charm and my sense of humour," was how Vowles responded to the question. The former Mercedes man then gave a serious answer to the question: "This isn't the Williams of old and I think first and foremost the fact that we are having Sainz on our list will certainly show you this isn't how we performed of late. We are prepared to have a driver lineup that I think is going to be one of the best on the grid that is achieved."
Vowles also confirmed that Williams have signed a number of key personnel from other teams on the F1 grid, but refused to give any names, only saying "It will all be confirmed between now and December."
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