Williams driver Carlos Sainz says Charles Leclerc and his former Ferrari workforce are “ready” to win System 1 titles this yr.
Sainz, who drove Williams’ new 2025 automobile at Silverstone on Friday, has been changed by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari following the most important driver transfer within the sport’s historical past.
Ferrari haven’t gained a title since their Constructors’ Championship triumph in 2008 and Kimi Raikkonen was their final drivers’ title winner in 2007.
The Scuderia had been simply 14 factors behind McLaren within the constructors’ standings final yr because the title race went right down to the ultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
“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,” Sainz advised Sky Sports activities Information at Williams’ automobile launch.
“All the training processes that I am doing proper now with Williams, after I left Ferrari, the workforce was bang on, good 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.”
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Williams workforce principal James Vowles says he ‘welcomes’ the strain and scrutiny that Carlos Sainz becoming a member of the workforce has led to
Sainz: Optimistic first impressions at Williams
Williams would be the fifth workforce Sainz has pushed for since becoming a member of F1 in 2015, having beforehand had spells at Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari.
Sainz gained 4 races for Ferrari during the last three seasons, so Williams have a multiple-race-winning driver of their line-up for the primary time since Felipe Massa in 2017.
“I always say first impressions are very important because you only have one chance to make a first impression,” Sainz mentioned.
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Carlos Sainz says that his first impressions of life at Williams are ‘very constructive’, and that he’s ‘joyful and simply desirous to go racing’
“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 folks filled with motivation, goodwill and pleased with Williams to deliver this workforce ahead. We’ve had an excellent winter and an excellent take a look at in Abu Dhabi, so I am joyful and I simply wish to go racing.”
Albon: Sainz will deliver quite a bit to the workforce
Sainz is ready to supply Alex Albon his hardest team-mate problem because the London-born Thai driver was at Pink Bull alongside Max Verstappen in 2019 and 2020.
After a yr out from F1, Albon comfortably had the higher hand on Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant however was pushed tougher by Franco Colapinto after the Argentine changed Sargeant for the latter phases of final season.
Albon was linked with some 2025 seats nearer the entrance of the grid earlier than they had been stuffed, however finally signed a brand new take care of Williams.
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Alex Albon believes that the ‘route of Williams goes up’ and shares his ideas on simply how aggressive this season might be for all of the drivers
Requested whether or not it might be a make-or-break season for his profession, Albon mentioned: “I don’t see it so much like this, all or nothing kind of style.
“In my head, it is nice to have Carlos on board – I feel he will deliver quite a bit to the workforce. He is coming from a really sturdy yr, perhaps his strongest in System 1, and I feel for me it is an important alternative.
“I’ve had drivers that haven’t had that reputation, whereas with Carlos I know he does, so it’s great to go up against.”
Watch the F1 75 launch occasion in London on Tuesday, February 18 earlier than pre-season testing on February 26-28 in Bahrain, all dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
