F1 News
Carlos Sainz Sr. supports son's bold move to Williams: 'Must be respected'
Carlos Sainz Sr. has made his thoughts regarding his son's 2025 move to Williams public. The legendary rally driver has supported his son since his Ferrari axe, explaining how "all possible options" were explored in the lead-up to the Spaniard's choice to move to James Vowles' promising Williams project alongside Alex Albon. The two-time World Rally Champion has trust in Williams' plan to return to the sharp end of the grid, as he explains.
"Well, I've always been by his side in this. This year has indeed been a difficult year for him, where before the start of the season the story of Hamilton to Ferrari arose, and it's a complicated situation. As a father and with my nephew we helped as much as we could, we searched for all possible options. But, my role hasn't changed in that," Sainz Sr. told Marca.
Sainz's Ferrari career was already curtains before the season began, as Lewis Hamilton's move to Maranello was announced in February. Without a doubt, being dropped from the illustrious Italian team would've unsettled the now three-time Grand Prix winner. In Melbourne, the Spaniard secured an impressive victory. This early triumph remains his only victory of the season.
'It was not an easy decision for him'
"It's his decision, and you have to respect it," Sainz Sr. continued. "It was not an easy decision, nor a clear one. There were three or four options, and in the end, he is the one who has to decide his future, and we support him to the max. And that's what we've done. Williams is a project that is going up, at the end of the year, it has started to go better, and we have to wait, and we trust it that next year will continue in an upward line," the Spaniard explained.
Williams is confident that their 2026 Mercedes customer power unit will be the best on the grid. Team boss James Vowles previously waxed lyrical over the new Mercedes motor. Early signs suggest that the engine will be a success. Mercedes nailed the 2014 turbo-hybrid regulation change, and Williams finished third in the constructors that year, partly down to the strength of their power unit.
'Carlos knows where he should be'
"Carlos, with the teams he has been at already, has left a good taste behind with his work and his knowledge. The teams improved when he arrived, and that is what is important for a professional and what should always be demanded. I think Carlos is a serious driver in that he knows clearly where he should be." The 2024 Dakar Rally winner concluded.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!