Sainz unsure how he’ll handle life in F1’s midfield: ‘Ask me later’

Carlos Sainz is entering uncharted waters this year in Formula 1 season, stepping away from the front-running spotlight of Ferrari to join the midfield battleground with Williams.

After four years of challenging for race wins, the Spaniard openly admits he has no idea how he’ll handle the transition to fighting for lesser positions.

Nevertheless, Sainz sees the potential for career-defining moments with the Grove-based outfit during its journey back to the sharp end of the grid.

Sainz’s exit from Ferrari, precipitated by Lewis Hamilton’s move to Maranello, came as a surprise for the four-time Grand Prix winner who had hoped to renew his contract with the Scuderia.

With opportunities at Mercedes and Red Bull unavailable, and Audi-Sauber too much of a risky proposition, Sainz turned to Williams, a team rebuilding itself under the guidance of team principal James Vowles.

Coping with Life in the Midfield

The move inevitably equates to a downgrade in terms of his prospects for 2025, and has prompted questions about his mindset and how he'll cope with a different competitive landscape.

“My honest point on that is I don’t know how I’m going to react to fighting for P7 to P15, I don’t know,” Sainz reacted.

“I don’t know how much I’m going to miss it. I don’t know how much fun I’m going to find it. Maybe you need to ask me more into the year how I’m finding it.”

The move means Sainz joins an elite club of drivers – Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost among them – who have raced for Formula 1’s three most decorated teams: Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.

The Dream of a Williams Podium

For Sainz, the allure of driving for Williams goes beyond its current competitiveness.

The team, once a powerhouse, has endured a prolonged dry spell, with its last race win dating all the way back to 2012 and its last title being achieved in 1997.

But Sainz believes Williams’ ongoing transformation represents an exciting challenge.

“I think if you would have asked me when I was 10 years old and I started to fall in love with Formula 1, which teams you would have loved to drive one day, I would have definitely picked those three,” he said.

And a podium with Williams would definitely represent a career highlight for the Spaniard.

“I’m in my 10th year in Formula 1 and I’m joining Williams in a very important moment where it’s going through some key changes in its history,” he said.

“And nothing would make me happier or more proud, it would definitely be the proudest moment of my career if one day I can be on a podium with this team.”

Relishing the Role of Rebuilding a Legacy

Despite leaving Ferrari, a team expected to contend for the championship in 2025, Sainz isn’t dwelling on what might have been.

Instead, he’s fully committed to helping revive Williams’ fortunes and believes his extensive experience will be critical to their resurgence.

“I want to help that in that process, help that historical team,” he explained.

“I think it’s the second most successful team in Formula 1 and being part of that process and being part of that ride on my way back to the top of Formula 1 is what motivates me and what I think you guys can tell.”

©Williams

Sainz emphasized the strong support he has already received from the team, which he believes will enable him to deliver his best performance.

“I’m happy, I feel supported by this team and I think that’s hopefully going to bring the best version,” he concluded.

For Sainz, the dream of standing on the podium in Williams colors isn’t just a goal – it’s the spark driving his determination to help one of F1’s most iconic teams reclaim its former glory.

Whether that dream materializes or not, Sainz’s journey promises to be one to watch.

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