Carlos Sainz says he knows he won’t be fighting for race wins anytime soon with Williams, but the Spaniard insists his enthusiasm and motivation for his new endeavor with the British outfit are off the charts.
Williams, Formula 1’s third most successful team in the history of the sport behind Ferrari and McLaren, is attempting to restore its former lustre under the guidance of team boss James Vowles.
The Grove-based squad has benefitted from an influx of capital and investment from Dorilton Capital, the private equity firm that acquired the team from the Williams family in 2020, and Vowles has been putting the team’s resources to good use after devising a multi-year investment plan mainly aimed at upgrading the outfit’s facilities and hardware.
But implementing a strategic vision isn’t the work of a season or two, and the road to recovery for Williams will require patience, persistence, careful execution and technical ingenuity.
Sainz, fresh from his four-year with Ferrari, is ready to channel his energy into Williams’ project, buoyed by an opportunity to help his new team rebuild itself from the ground up, driven by a challenge that many of his peers would have likely shied away from.
“Honestly, people won’t believe it and can’t imagine how much I’m looking forward to what’s to come,” Sainz told DAZN Spain.
“It may seem strange to people but it’s a project that motivates me a lot. It’s in my mind to be able to help a legendary team like Williams in F1 to become a top team again. Being part of that motivates me a lot.”
The 30-year-old driver, who has experienced the highs and lows of racing for Ferrari, acknowledges that his move to Williams means he will not be in contention for wins and podiums in the near future.
But this reality does not deter him; instead, it seems to fuel his determination.
“I know I won’t be fighting for wins and podiums in the next few years, but I’m not worried about that,” he admitted.
“I’ve got that, I’ve done that with Ferrari, and what I’m going to take care of is that this time lasts as little as possible with the team I’m going to and make the most of it.”
Sainz’s transition to Williams has already started on a positive note. During Tuesday’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi, he posted the second-fastest time of the session, trailing only his former Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc.
While lap times over the course of the session were irrelevant given every driver’s specific run plans, Sainz’s performance at least showcased his ability to adapt quickly to his new machinery.
Sainz is no stranger to the challenges of working within a team project, but his departure from Ferrari has left a bittersweet taste.
He reflected on the complexities of competing at the highest level while knowing his tenure with Ferrari was coming to an end.
“I think the way to face a year like this is never ideal,” he explained. “All the great years of the best sportsmen in history come with a 100% team, a project for the future and everyone pushing in the same direction.
“And yes, I have noticed that Ferrari has supported me at all times and all season long. But whether you like it or not, when you know you’re leaving at the end of the year, it’s complicated to manage.
“We have all managed to stay out of it and keep giving it our all. The end of the season has been very nice and a sign of strength that I think will help me in my next projects.”
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