F1 News
Leclerc and Norris on Sainz's move to Williams: 'Deserves to be in a top team'
- Savannah Lenz
After Lewis Hamilton was signed to Ferrari, Carlos Sainz needed to secure a spot on the Formula 1 grid for 2025. The team he landed with was Williams Racing, a British team with 7 driver's titles and 9 constructors' titles under their belt. However, Williams has not shone for the past few years, and Sainz's former teammates Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc hope to see him still putting up a fight.
Lando Norris, who started his Formula 1 career as Sainz's teammate, had this to say about his move to Williams. "Carlos will for sure add to that and propel the team forward even more. They've gone under a lot of changes in the last few months and a year or so, so even this year, there were some times when Williams was very quick, so I'm expecting to still see him on track, and I'm sure next year Williams will take a good step forwards from where they are now."
'He's proven himself enough'
Despite Williams not having graced the podium steps this year, both Leclerc and Norris are on the same page. They believe that Sainz will generously benefit the team and will project Williams into a team that can fight once more. Norris said, "We don't know when they'll be fighting. Even 2026 is a year where which is just over one year away from now. But 2026 is a year where anything can happen. Williams can be at the top all of a sudden."
The McLaren driver continued, "So we'll wait and see. But it's a shame because I think he's proven himself enough in Formula 1 that he deserves a good seat. He deserves to fight for championships and wins, and those types of things, and it's a shame when that opportunity is lost, but it's not because he's not got talent or he's not got the ability." Norris continued, "It's because it's the biggest name in Formula One who wants his seat, and we'll see in the future what it takes. See how Lewis does in Ferrari with Charles and against Charles, but he's proven himself enough, so I don't think anyone needs to doubt him. I'm sure his time will come back again, and he'll help Williams fight back to the top."
'It’s just a matter of time before he comes back'
Leclerc retained his seat at Ferrari, which he says has grown over the past few years thanks to Sainz's input and help. "Carlos is so incredibly talented, he's helped me to improve in so many areas. His work ethic, his talent, just everything he brings, and his discipline have made him such an incredible teammate. I will repeat myself, but if we have made such a step forward in a year and in these four years, it's a big thanks to Carlos. He's just been extremely quick."
"Carlos definitely deserves to be in a top team. But I'm sure that it's just a matter of time before he comes back to fight for wins. He will give so much to Williams, the way he's so sensitive to every small change and every small feeling there is in the car."
Regarding the time they spent together, Leclerc gets sentimental, "I'll definitely miss the fights. We've had our moments on track, but that's only because we were fighting so close together and because he's been pushing me all the way, and it's been an absolute pleasure and of course, in some moments, in the actual moment, in the present moment there's frustration but I'm sure that, and actually already now, I'm looking back at those moments with a lot of positive memories and I wouldn't be the driver I am today without him as my teammate in the last four years."
The Monegasque concluded, "It's been a really big pleasure, and for four years, I will be looking back in the most positive way. And I wish him the best. But as I said, I have no doubts that he will be back at the top of the grid, whether it's with Williams by his inputs or with someone else. But he deserves that. I think everybody knows that, and it’s just a matter of time before he comes back."
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!