Williams detail 'odd' Carlos Sainz impact after major F1 breakthrough

Williams F1 team principal James Vowles has issued insight into the impact Carlos Sainz has had on the squad since joining.

Sainz signed a multi-year deal with the Grove-based squad after his exit from Ferrari was confirmed.

The Spaniard joined as Williams looked to progress beyond the difficult 2024 campaign that saw it end the year ninth in the constructors' championship.

However, it made strong steps forward this year to finish fifth in the standings, aided by two podiums for Sainz in Azerbaijan and Qatar respectively.

Vowles commended the steps Sainz has taken this year as he hailed the collaboration he has with team-mate Alex Albon.

“His biggest contribution, first of all he correlates with Alex really well,” he told media including RacingNews365.

“They both have exactly the same drive in what they want out of the car, which gives you strength of knowledge.

“I know it sounds odd, but one voice perhaps doesn't drive you.

“Two voices saying the same thing absolutely gives you direction on it.”

Having spent years working with teams such as McLaren and Ferrari, Sainz has built up a strong knowledge of engineering expertise.

Vowles detailed that Sainz ensured he applied that area of his skillset when it came to extracting potential from the car.

“Number two, his way of working, especially with the aerodynamic team is very, very good,” he said.

“He has an ability to drag you through the data and take you exactly to a point where he's suffering with a balance issue, which then allows you to dig deep inside it.

“So it's that level of detail that he brings with him.”