Carlos Sainz is aware of the method of shifting Williams up the System 1 grid will take a while, however the 30-year-old Spaniard stated his motivation to take action is “unbelievable.”
Sainz jumped in his Williams automobile for end-of-season testing on Tuesday, and posted the second-fastest time behind Charles Leclerc as groups tinkered with setups and run plans. Sainz and Leclerc have been teammates for the previous 4 years at Ferrari, the place they helped declare second place on this 12 months’s constructors standings.
Podiums and group successes of that nature are nonetheless a great distance off for Williams, however Sainz stated that’s of no concern to him as he embarks on his largest undertaking after racing for Ferrari (2021-24) and McLaren (2019-20).
“I am not fearful about that,” Sainz advised DAZN Spain, per f1.com. “I’ve acquired that. I’ve performed that with Ferrari.”
Whereas Ferrari was overtaking Pink Bull and battling McLaren to finish the season in Abu Dhabi, Williams completed ninth out of 10 groups within the constructors standings. Whereas 17 factors left the group 29 behind RB Honda for eighth place, Williams has been making regular strides since funding agency Dorilton Capital purchased the group in 2020.
The extremely revered James Vowles introduced in Sainz, who was changed at Ferrari by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, to offer a veteran driver pairing alongside Alex Albon. The trio are a part of a complete plan to return Williams to its glory days.
“Truthfully, folks will not imagine it and might’t think about how a lot I am trying ahead to what’s to return,” Sainz stated.
“It might appear unusual to folks nevertheless it’s a undertaking that motivates me rather a lot. It is in my thoughts to have the ability to assist a legendary group like Williams in F1 to develop into a high group once more. Being a part of that motivates me rather a lot.”
Sainz is a four-time winner in System 1, together with his most up-to-date victory coming on the Mexico Grand Prix in October. It was his second win this season, following his March victory in Australia. He has recognized he can be out of a experience with Ferrari because the Hamilton information broke in February, and Sainz took his time earlier than signing with Williams 5 months later.
The break up with Ferrari was amicable, together with the group releasing him early to take part within the end-of-season testing, however Sainz admitted it was a problem racing the complete season figuring out it might be his final with the legendary Italian outfit.
“I believe the best way to face a 12 months like that is by no means ultimate,” he defined. “All the good years of the most effective sportsmen in historical past include a one hundred pc group, a undertaking for the long run and everybody pushing in the identical route.
“And sure, I’ve observed that Ferrari has supported me always and all season lengthy. However whether or not you prefer it or not, when you already know you are leaving on the finish of the 12 months, it is sophisticated to handle.
“We now have all managed to remain out of it and preserve giving it our all. The top of the season has been very good and an indication of energy that I believe will assist me in my subsequent tasks.”
–Area Degree Media
