Williams boss James Vowles sold on Carlos Sainz, calling him a ‘race-winning driver’

MONTREAL – Williams team principal James Vowles does not need to be sold on Carlos Sainz, but McLaren counterpart Andrea Stella offered a sales pitch on behalf of the Ferrari driver just the same.

With seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari to partner Charles Leclerc, Sainz finds himself the odd man out at Maranello looking for a seat for next season.

When the Spaniard entered the market, he was a driver considered in high demand and viewed as a possible replacement for Sergio Perez at Red Bull or stepping into Hamilton’s spot at Mercedes.

Some of those doors have closed with Perez on June 4 inking a two-year extension to stay on as wing man for world champion Max Verstappen, while Mercedes are reportedly ready to go with young Italian Kimi Antonelli, 17.

But for many outfits up and down the paddock, Sainz remains a prize catch.

“First and foremost, I think Carlos is an exceptional driver, he’s a race-winning driver,” said Vowles on June 7 ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.

“I think any team would be privileged to have him as a part of their organisation.”

Williams were already rumoured to be in discussions with the 29-year-old as a replacement for Logan Sargeant, but Vowles refused to reveal his hand.

“There’s nothing to say at the moment,” he added.

The potential suitors for Sainz’s services are believed to boil down to a choice between Williams and Sauber, who will become Audi in 2026.

Stella, who worked with Sainz during his stint at McLaren, had high praise for the Spaniard.

“Carlos is an interesting driver, not only for the qualities that led him to be a race winner, but in particular I would highlight that he is very rational,” he said.

“He needs to create a plan in his head around what is the fastest way in a lap, what is the fastest way of racing. He adds a lot of rationality to his instinct.

“The importance is that when you have this rational elaboration, it’s also easy to communicate and then it becomes a big asset for the team.”

There is currently no opening at Williams with Alex Albon and Sargeant, the only American on the starting grid, under contract. But Vowles has given every indication that there soon will be a vacancy if the latter does not start producing the results expected.

“Is he where I need him to be target-wise?” asked Vowles.

“That’s the big question. We need more from him, really, to be able to save his seat.”

Qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix took place on June 8, with the session starting after press time.

Red Bull ace Verstappen was dominant in Montreal in 2023, leading every lap from pole, but he faces a fight for a third successive victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

There have been three different winners in the last three races and, after winning 19 of 22 last season, the Dutchman has now failed to win three of the last six even though he still leads the drivers’ standings. REUTERS, AFP