Vowles on 'monumental' Sainz transfer: 'Started in November last year'

"I think the first thing is the conversation has been many months. It hasn't been weeks, of which you've been privy to some of it," Vowles is referring to the fact that rumours were becoming increasingly intense about Sainz being in serious negotiations with Williams, he told GPblog among others.

Interestingly, the Grove-based racing stable's team principal states that the first contact with Sainz was made in 2023. That was before it officially came out that Lewis Hamilton had been brought in by Ferrari as 2025 driver. In fact, that did not happen until 1 February this year. "It actually started way back in Abu Dhabi last year. And the message I gave to him and to his family, at the time, is no different to the message I gave him last weekend in Spa, to be clear. And I believe that's what's won it."

Vowles was honest in talks

He continued: "From the beginning, I gave him warts and all. Here's what's going to happen. We are going to go backwards. Here's why. Here's what we're investing in, here's what's coming, here's why I'm excited by this project, and it's your choice very much if you want to be a part of it. But I know that we will have success in the future and I know it's going to cost us in the short term. And I'm confident that that honesty and transparency has paid off."

According to Vowles, Sainz sees the potential at Williams that Vowles also sees. For his part, the team principal is happy to have the Sainz and Alexander Albon duo at his disposal in the coming years. "I think it's a huge, huge event for Williams to have two of the best drivers in the world fighting in front. And I think it is very much a sign of things to come. The fact that we are prepared to have the investment required to be there. And a lot of it you can't see. The one that you can materially see is what we're doing by effectively putting money where it should be, into the best drivers that are available to us."

Williams trumps Alpine

There were several privateers on the coast, including Alpine. "In terms of beating an OEM and one of the largest in the world, I'm incredibly proud," the 45-year-old Briton stated. "I said this to Carlos anyways, one of the proudest moments of my career and I've had lots of great moments of my career. And the fact he chose us above all else is a huge monumental decision."