Carlos Sainz, who sampled Williams' 2025 Formula 1 car at Silverstone on Friday, claims his former team, Ferrari, and former teammate, Charles Leclerc, are ready for a title challenge.
Sainz bagged six pole positions and four grand prix wins when driving for Ferrari and pushed his highly rated former teammate, Leclerc, hard but was ultimately shown the door to make way for Lewis Hamilton.
Now at Williams, Sainz will never know when or if he will ever win an F1 race again and admitted he doesn't know what to expect in terms of feelings, as he will not be fighting for wins in the medium term at least.
Speaking at Williams' FW47 launch event at Silverstone last week, Sainz was asked about his expectations for his former team in 2025, keeping in mind they missed out on the 2024 F1 constructors' title to McLaren by 14 points.
The Spaniard said: "Let's see how everyone starts the year, but I remember saying to all the Ferrari people when I left that they are ready to fight for championships and win a championship this year.
"All the learning processes that I'm doing right now with Williams, when I left Ferrari, the team was bang on, perfect to go for it.
"I think Charles, because he's the only guy I know and I don't know Lewis personally or his driving, etc., I know Charles is ready to fight for a championship," Sainz insisted.
With regards to his current situation at Williams and how things have turned out so far, Sainz was positive; he said: "I always say first impressions are very important because you only have one chance to make a first impression.
"And the first impression I had back in the [2024 post-season] test in Abu Dhabi, and the first impression I had of the factory and this FW47, was very positive.
"I see people full of motivation, goodwill, and proud of Williams to bring this team forward. We have had a very good winter and a very good test in Abu Dhabi, so I'm happy, and I just want to go racing," Sainz concluded.
Latest News
Loading
