It took months of courtship, but the engagement finally happened: all love stories start this way, even the one between Carlos Sainz and James Vowles at Williams. After months of rumors, the Spanish driver has finally confirmed his future post-Ferrari.
In an interview with Lawrence Barretto, the former Mercedes man describes the long negotiation phases. From quiet meetings to late-night talks, that’s how it all began.
“The first time I spent time with the Sainz family was in Abu Dhabi,” James Vowles explains, moments after the announcement. We had already mentioned last February how the Spanish driver had secretly visited a team, and that team was Williams.
“We had to bring them in through the back so they could enter my office without being seen. We connected because they have family values very similar to mine, which involve honesty, performing well on track without politics, and doing the best job possible with the tools you have.” – the British motorsport engineer pointed out.
At the time, in Abu Dhabi 2023, Carlos Sainz was still confident he could secure a renewal with Ferrari. Instead, the news of Lewis Hamilton came, which surprised both James Vowles and the Spaniard. At that point, the Williams boss began the normal negotiation procedures.
Throughout these months, James Vowles was honest with Carlos Sainz. As he explains to F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto, he told him the truth about the Williams project, the good and the bad.
“This is who we are, this is what we invest in, this is why I believe in it, this is what will happen in the future: do you want to be part of it?” James Vowles continues.
“I believe in this project; I left the comfort of Mercedes to be here. We have a history that makes us the second most successful team on the grid. We have serious investors. We want success. The same cannot be said for other teams at the back of the grid. If no one takes this as a sign that Williams has changed, then nothing will change for you.” – he added.
James Vowles chose Carlos Sainz because he was not just looking for a fast driver, but also “a leader,” he explains. The team principal has always publicly stated why he wanted him on the team and has pursued him persistently over these eight months:
“There were so many late-night meetings in a hotel room! Many sleepless nights, a lot of phone calls.” James Vowles was patient and gave Carlos Sainz the time to decide. In the end, this approach paid off. “I told him it’s probably the longest contract [in terms of duration to reach signing],” he adds. “And Lewis’s contracts are difficult, just to be clear!”
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Source: f1ingenerale
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