“Screams and howls of joy” at Williams upon the announcement of Sainz’s arrival

After Alonsomania in the 2000s, Sainzmania at Williams ? After long months of waiting and impatience, the Spaniard has finally made his choice for 2025, by setting his sights on the British team. An announcement which had the effect of a bomb in the middle of the Formula 1, as the future of the Madrilenian has been closely scrutinized since the start of the year and the formalization of his departure from Ferrari, replaced by Lewis Hamilton.

Successively announced at Red Bull, Mercedes, Audi or even Alpine, it was ultimately at Williams that Carlos Sainz will write the next chapter of his career next year. The English team perhaps had the highest odds, but pulled off a major coup by securing the services of the three-time Grand Prix winner despite an unflattering position in the hierarchy (9th among the Manufacturers at mid-season). Obviously, the announcement of his arrival had to be given with great fanfare to Grove.

“We installed a kind of projector with a television, confided James Vowles to the F1 Nation podcast. I walked in, Netflix was with me. There were about 600 to 700 people – due to working hours it is not possible to get all 1000 people in at the same time – and I presented it. » The British leader, who experienced the prosperous era of Mercedes in the 2010s, was shocked by the reaction of his clan to the announcement of the arrival of Carlos Sainz.

Sainz, Williams' new hero?

“I had the pleasure of winning races and winning championships [with Mercedes]. I promise you the emotional response was the strongest I have ever seen in my Formula career 1, said Williams Team Principal. It was extraordinary. The screams, the howls of joy… Carlos made a appearance in front of the camera which lasted about a minute and a half. They missed the first minute, there was nothing but screaming during that time. This alone allowed me to understand what this meant to each of these individuals. »

For the first time since 2018 and Felipe Massa, Williams will have the opportunity to work with a Grand Prix winner. An important step in James Vowles' project to restore the nine-time world champion team to its former glory in 2026, when the new technical regulations will come into force. With a duo Carlos Sainz – Alexander albon and a Mercedes engine that is already expected to be very efficient, the Grove team could well make sparks on the track in two years.

ALSO READ > What does the 2025 grid look like after Carlos Sainz's announcement at Williams?