For Carlos Sainz, transitioning from Ferrari, a front-running team, to Williams might seem like a daunting step backwards, but the Spaniard is unfazed by the prospect of no longer competing for race wins in F1 - at least in the mid-term.
Sainz found himself as the odd man at Ferrari out even before the 2024 F1 season got underway following the House of Maranello's decision to deploy its red carpet for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The blockbuster move left many stunned, not least Sainz himself, as few believed that Hamilton would ever leave his surrogate Mercedes family, even despite the Brackley squad's struggles over the last two seasons.
Mercedes and Red Bull seemed like logical suits for Sainz's talent but both teams ultimately passed on the Spaniard who was eventually left with a trio of midfield options to choose from: Audi-Sauber, Alpine and Williams.
Sainz opted for the latter, drawn by the long-term vision of Williams team principal James Vowles and the opportunity to play a key role in the team's resurgence.
The three-time Grand Prix winner is well aware that his move to Williams will bring a temporary halt to his chances of regularly competing at the front.
However, he remains confident that he will quickly adapt to the midfield battle, as much of his career prior to Ferrari has involved racing in exactly that environment.
“Being very honest with you, I've been 10 years in Formula 1 and [for] eight years I haven't fought for wins and two or three I have,” he told the media in Singapore recently.
“So I've spent more time not fighting for wins than fighting for wins, and Formula 1 for me is a lot about extracting the maximum out of the car.”
For Sainz, his new challenge with Williams is about more than just results. His focus will be on helping the team build for the future.
Although victories and podiums may not come immediately, he believes there's significant potential to move forward with the right investment and vision.
“The result is not purely dependent on the athlete and the driver, it's depending on the machinery you drive,” he added.
“And it's all about how I'm going to also help Williams, how I'm going to help the project move forward, that really motivates me.
“It's something I want to feel listened to; I want to feel like I can help.
“And this in a historical team like Williams, when they have a clear vision and [are] super committed to bringing the team back to the front with very clear investment partners.
“It's something that was important for me and the results for '25, I know they might not be wins or podiums, but I still think we can do a good job.”
Sainz's season has not been without its challenges away off track. Learning he would not be retained by Ferrari and then navigating the next steps in his career took a toll on him mentally, even if it didn't show in his performance on track.
“It is not easy to both compete at a high level as a Ferrari driver and at the same time having to take such an important decision on your future,” he expressed.
“It did take a lot of space on my mind and I think I was always open and honest with you – not struggling, my results showed I wasn't really struggling – but for sure it took energy out of my head, it took mental energy .”
He recalls how, once the decision to join Williams was made, he felt a sense of relief, knowing he could fully focus on the remainder of his campaign with Ferrari without the weight of his future hanging over him.
“I remember going into the break once I made the decision with a bit of a relief feeling,” he said, “thinking now okay I have to switch off, recharge my batteries, and come back for the next 10 races where my only focus “will be on delivering 10 races for Ferrari without having to decide on my future and there will be plenty of time to think and talk about Williams after these races.”
Sainz's calm demeanor in the face of an uncertain future is a testament to his vast experience but also to his understanding of the nature of the sport.
Formula 1 is not just about individual talent but also about the machinery at a driver's disposal. While Williams may not be capable of fighting for wins right away, Sainz's focus is on playing the long game—helping to bring the team back to where it once belonged, even if the results are not immediate.
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