Carlos Sainz didn’t just walk away from his first season at Williams with results on the board — he left behind something far more personal.
As the curtain fell on a remarkable debut year with the Grove-based team, the Spaniard made sure every member of the organisation felt seen and appreciated, handing out gift bags accompanied by a handwritten-style letter that captured both the heart and the ambition of Williams’ revival.
Sainz’s arrival at Williams for 2025 raised eyebrows after his Ferrari exit made way for Lewis Hamilton. But what followed was a season that quickly turned belief into momentum.
Two podium finishes – third place in Azerbaijan and Qatar – helped propel Williams to a fifth-place finish in F1’s Constructors’ championship, a milestone few would have confidently predicted a year earlier.
Rather than letting those achievements speak for themselves, Sainz chose to address the people behind the scenes directly.
“As we close out a remarkable first season together, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for the incredible welcome I have received since day one at Grove,” the four-time Grand Prix winner wrote to his fellow team members.
“I knew I was joining a very special team, but our first year together has exceeded all my expectations. This specially designed print is a small gesture of appreciation, and I hope it serves as a reminder of what we accomplished together during 2025.”
Shared Success, Shared Pride
Sainz made it clear the highlights of 2025 weren’t individual triumphs, but collective ones – forged in factories, offices and late nights as much as on the circuit.
“It is thanks to your dedication and commitment that we have been able to achieve our most ambitious goal this year: securing P5 in the constructors' championship, while also having a bit of fun along the way with the podiums in Baku and Qatar, and the sprint podium in Austin.
“Those highlights are not mine they are a direct result of your efforts and our teamwork, and I truly hope you feel as proud as I do of every point we have scored.”
©Williams
That tone – humble, grounded, inclusive – has helped explain why Sainz has settled so seamlessly into the James Vowles-led project. Williams’ resurgence in 2025 wasn’t just about speed; it was about culture.
Still, Sainz knows sentiment alone won’t take the team where it ultimately wants to go.
“We have laid solid foundations for the upcoming season, and I cannot wait to go racing again. But make no mistake, there is still a long road ahead before we achieve our ultimate goal of returning this team to its winning ways, to where it belongs,” he added.
Eyes Forward, Feet on the Ground
At 31, Sainz sounds every bit the leader Williams hoped he would become – appreciative of progress, honest about the challenge, and fully committed to the journey ahead.
“After our first year together, I have no doubt that we have all the right ingredients to get there, and you can be sure I will give my absolute best to represent you on and off the track to the best of my abilities,” he concluded.
“Be proud of what we are building together, enjoy a well-deserved rest with your loved ones, and see you in 2026 with our batteries fully recharged and ready to go again.
"Vamos !"
In a sport often defined by contracts, numbers and lap times, Sainz’s gesture was a reminder of something simpler – that Formula 1, at its best, is still powered by people.
Read also: Albon explains what he’s learned from Sainz, on and off the track
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