Williams F1 Shocks Racing World by Signing Carlos Sainz, Vowles Questions Red Bull and Mercedes’ Oversight

James Vowles expressed astonishment that both Red Bull and Mercedes did not consider Carlos Sainz

"Choosing is tough, but indeed, I'd pair Carlos with Max."

Williams F1 leader James Vowles admitted he was taken aback that Red Bull and Mercedes did not consider Carlos Sainz, praising him as among the “top four” racers in the current lineup.

On Monday, Williams revealed their decision to bring Sainz on board for a two-year contract.

Securing Sainz is a significant achievement for Williams, considering he is highly esteemed as one of the top racers in the field, demonstrating strong performances against Lando Norris while at McLaren and currently against Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.

Sainz garnered significant attention from Audi and Alpine, yet chose to become a part of Vowles' promising Williams initiative.

In a virtual press conference with media outlets, including Crash.net, on Tuesday, Vowles confessed that, were he in Red Bull's shoes, he would have chosen Sainz as Max Verstappen's teammate.

"Given Red Bull's situation where they're facing the possibility of losing the constructors' championship," he mentioned. "It's a tough choice, but indeed, I would pair Carlos with Max."

Vowles acknowledged that his previous team, Mercedes, is facing more complex challenges due to their fluctuating performance levels.

He described the dilemma facing Mercedes as a tough decision. The team has oscillated from periods of underperformance, during which it seemed logical to focus on nurturing future talent like Antonelli, to phases of peak competitiveness. This fluctuation makes it challenging to decide whether to place their bets on established names or take a chance on emerging talents.

With that in mind, if Mercedes has indeed chosen this path, it's clear they possess significantly more insights than I have, suggesting they are quite certain about their course of action. Whether it involves Max or Kimi remains uncertain to me. They're certainly not making this decision lightly; it's a well-thought-out move.

"If Red Bull has chosen to proceed in this manner, it's clear they have their rationale, which might not be evident to me. They have a history of clinching world championships. They don't rush into decisions haphazardly. However, it did catch me off guard."

Securing Sainz positions Williams with one of the most formidable pairs in the competition.

Vowles holds the view that Sainz ranks within the top four drivers, occasionally rising to the second position.

"Indeed, I was taken aback," he succinctly expressed, acknowledging his high regard for the driver as being among the top four, occasionally even the second best on the track. "Why wouldn't you desire such a talent in your team?" He shared his perspective that as competitors increasingly narrow the gap among themselves, the distinct advantage a driver can provide becomes all the more critical, not just in terms of performance.

"Every squad he's been part of has seen notable progress, and it's clear to me why after spending the past nine months in conversation with him."

"Rachel, my significant other, often feels perplexed about how our relationship compares to my bond with Carlos. What I've come to understand about Carlos is his remarkable dedication. He genuinely commits to not only bettering himself but also elevating the entire team. That's impactful."

"The value of that exceeds his ability to operate the vehicle. It's justified if it propels the team ahead by an equivalent measure."

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