Why Carlos Sainz finally rejected Audi and Renault for Williams

[@selder_7]

James Vowles has done amazingly to secure an Albon/Sainz line up with all the issues that team faces.

[@ViN-kr3ri]

Yes. A pairing worthy of a top team. Way too good for Williams

[@DAGATHire]

@@ViN-kr3ri exactly! kind of says a lot about where sauber and alpine are. when williams is your best option. the gulf between the top and the bottom is vast.

[@RAZGR1Z]

If Sainz settled for the mess that is Williams than the Audi takeover must be a complete clown show and Renault will be pulling out of F1 so going to Enstone would also be a big gamble on who will buy it.

Sainz is basically putting his career on his hands. Hope Williams does decent at least and they don't fuck it up, because getting such pairing is incredibly lucky.

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Williams can be back!​@@ViN-kr3ri

[@Alex.The.Lionnnnn]

Having Albon as his partner would definitely have made it easier for him to choose Williams. It's hard to see either of them losing their shit if they're consistently competitive with one another. They both pretty cool, rational fellas and they just might be the first pairing that are genuinely team mates.

[@digitaldeathsquid3448]

I think Sainz's keen strategic mind will also help propel Williams up the grid, to the benefit of both him and Albon. I could see him pulling a Singapore 2023-tier strategy to secure a top 5 finish for at least one of them

[@spark339]

Albon had the same issue as Sainz, both Merc and RB rejected him. And compared to remaining teams Williams is the best.

[@andrewbrown5300]

It’s also likely he’s happy being number 2 is Albon, not sure gasly would be as happy though

[@whoknocks7]

and both apendix-less which is the most important point

[@spikyone79]

Carlando? No coincidence that was Carlos too, he seems to be a guy that's very easy to get on with and I've no doubt that he and Albon will work together to push the team forward.

[@tomtom8540]

Two drivers, both without their appendix… Williams has found a quick weight saving there!

[@gregmiller7123]

You only need one kidney, right? I like your way of thinking! 🤪🤣

[@link_7164]

Do we know if they are circumcised?

[@zlovez]

That's exactly it!!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@JCDenton95]

Williams Racing - ❌ Append-X Racing - ✅

[@helioalmeida8217]

😂😂😂😂

[@whassupg89]

Sainz having to choose between these 3 teams will go down as one of the great driver market injustices

[@pauls5745]

I can't believe every team wasn't thinking of a plan how to secure Sainz' services. The guy is a solid driver! I hope Williams can have good progression in the coming years. Carlos deserves a fast car and solid team.

[@magnustan841]

That has partly to do with him and his management taking so long… if they were more aggressive, Carlos might be in a Mercedes next year and the deal would have been done at least 2 months ago…

[@og87]

Mercedes have had a shocker

[@meikgeik]

I genuinely think Audi can be a real challenger in a few years. I worry that Carlos made a major mistake. I would be shocked if Williams is as competitive as Audi in a few years.

[@bcm70]

I agree. In his time with Ferrari I feel like he's proven to be the better racer. Not the faster of the two, but you can count on him to deliver when it counts. The Prost to LeClerc's Senna if you like. The intelligence he displayed in winning Singapore last year was very impressive.

[@Eeraz]

10:38 „The Sauber C44 is Lacking in Downforce, has sucked the Confidence out of Zhou Guanyu, doesn’t respond well to bumps, struggles for Front End in Slow Corners and rear Instability in the fast Corners and has suffered from a slow development Rate, apart from that it’s a really good Car“ I almost died laughing 😂

[@sikelelabiyana8445]

😅😅😅

[@T1mischief]

So, nothing💀

[@whyareyoureadingmynickname8158]

Sainz chose Williams because they have the best looking racing suit out of given teams.

[@jeffeyL]

The drip buff is real

[@warpeace8891]

Yes, It's can't be the money or the performance. Looks like a blunder for Saintz career.

[@DaybreakPT]

​@@warpeace8891 I read that Williams was the only team that offered him a contract where he has the right to go to a top team if they come for him. Sounds like the deal to be made out of the three, Alpine and Audi are much more inflexible and they look very hit and miss at the moment, Audi is having leadership problems with senior leaders quitting the team, it could end up being another Toyota in F1, success in WEC doesn't carry that much crossover into F1. They will be a new team for all intents and purposes and will be behind everyone else in experience and the development race. Alpine is Alpine.

[@lucasrumd]

​@@DaybreakPT "alpine is alpine" 😂

[@warpeace8891]

@@DaybreakPT - I don't rate Renault at all regardless of what they call themselves. Just hearing their words and how they contrast with their actions is enough to dismiss them as a competitor in F1. Audi is a very different case. I will give them a blank slate until they show what they are in F1. I have no interest in other categories - It's not relevant. If what you say about Williams is correct, It doesn't change what Williams has been in recent history. I might be more inclined to take that deal but I am not a potential world champion like Saintz.

[@LonedaHeaven]

i like how once binotto was announced, sainz instantly announced that he will be joining williams.

[@DeathBlocks]

Pretty sure he signed at least a few days ago, must be at least last week and it is just announced now. And it is not unlikely that he didn't know about Binotto.

[@giulioiodice2114]

so he abandoned the only man that wonted him in ferrari😅

[@DjWellDressedMan]

"They drove a DUMPTRUCK full of Cash up to my house" Krusty the Clown

[@titancheat]

Aye curamba 😂

[@chlcrk]

Let's just say they moved me TO A BIGGER HOUSE!

[@drunkenhobo8020]

I'm not made of stone!

[@cbuzz2371]

Burp

[@lucycooper9149]

I mean, if Williams had all that much cash...

[@atony1400]

And from the rhetoric we've heard from Sainz and Williams, they might be the shock landing spot for Newey too. Williams might be a genuine dark horse for 2026 and I'm all for it!

[@warpeace8891]

If Newey goes to Williams, I will eat grass. He has already stated his desire for Ferrari and Hamilton. It's either that or not F1. Williams have proved nothing positive in over a decade despite the changes and rhetoric. An excellent driver line up wasted at Williams.

[@andrewbailey7999]

@@warpeace8891 Although if they're able to offer him a genuine stake in the team this time, as Frank Williams was unwilling to do last time around, that might add some weight to their bid. I'm only speculating here. Obviously it's probably less likely than going to Ferrari, but when it comes to how each organisation treats its senior staff members, I wouldn't rule out Williams entirely

[@warpeace8891]

@@andrewbailey7999 - The owners of Williams are not giving anything away to anyone. I don't see the point of speculating about UFO's taking Logan Sargeant to Intergalactic driving school. Or Ayrton Senna making a comeback to drive with Michael Schumacher @ Andretti racing. I will do it for you, It is safe rule all of that out.

[@anydaynow01]

@@andrewbailey7999 He has a soft spot for underdogs and passion projects. Working with Vowles instead of the Ferrari mafia would be a much nicer work environment not to mention they will have a Mercedes engine. Then again to be a part of the team potentially designing the first driver's championship winning Ferrari since Räikkönen almost two decades ago would be awesome!

[@davemis40]

Feel for Sainz.. he didn’t deserve lose his seat at Ferrari

[@giulioiodice2114]

yes he deserve it, he don't listen to the team, he is a bad teammate to be gentle and has only 3 victory in his entire carreer, but he bring in money from spaniard sponsor ( wich is why ferrari took him) and honestly albon is way better in terms of driving skill

[@Takezo02]

@@giulioiodice2114 🤡

[@miggygetright6344]

“Apart from that, it’s a pretty good car” says after listing 20 different issues on the Sauber

[@boenkstah]

So next year will be the first time since 2016 where williams has actually 2 drivers instead of 1 plus a rolling obstacle ;)

[@ms-h7617]

This made me lol so much 😂

[@ChrisStoneinator]

Or indeed, 2 rolling obstacles! (2018)

[@thunderkilla1807]

The Stroll slander is insane. He got a podium for Williams in his rookie year in 2017. Second youngest driver to ever be on podium. Don’t be commenting on what you don’t know about

[@nebojsadurmanovic2268]

​@@thunderkilla1807need I remind you how many actual contenders were out of contention so that he can "earn" that position?

[@CrashXII]

​​@@nebojsadurmanovic2268don't forget his teammate who was a contender for the win

[@solidoperative]

Sainz didn't want part of the Master Blan.

[@varunkumarreddy2082]

As a Ferrari fan, I want to tell you that what you have done for the team will be remembered forever. Thank you, Carlos. ❤

[@eckee]

you can't speak for the ferrari team, you're nobody

[@luckymchl2074]

I'm sure Sainz does not appreciate this. He is a easily top 10 driver, if not a top 6 driver, and he knows it. I'm more than sure Hammy's regretting his move now, which I'm actually happy with. That's what you get when turn on the people who fed you your entire career because you had a couple bad seasons with them. I'd imagine Sainz will be battling Hammy, and Alonso in the mid pack next season while McLaren and Merc (Hammy's previous teams) have stepped up again, and one might win the Championship. We know at least 1 of them will be 2nd. Both will most likely be 2nd/3rd in 2025. Ferrari will most likely be 4th or 5th for the next generation. LOL.

[@sabataskull9661]

​@@luckymchl2074Hammy without Mercedes doesn't look too good.

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Don't let toxic Charles fans hear you say that. 😂

[@anamacklis2355]

@@eckee lmao, projections are wild

[@flamingburitto]

The reason is simple. Sainz wants stability. Alpine and Audi can't provide that.

[@ivani3237]

Sainz wanted RedBull - they declined him. Than he wanted Mercedes, even he was ready to wait 1 year till Merc plays with Antonelli, but Merc said - this seat is reserved for Max, not for you. And Sainz finally said "Shit..... no way for me to get title, ok - let's jump to the Rabbit hole", than he decided to toss a coin - and choose random bottom team.

[@cieplydran1]

​@@ivani3237What is wrong with you

[@mabuhayimplottingyourdemis423]

​@@ivani3237 This is Williams we're talking about, m8

[@DeathBlocks]

@@ivani3237 damn if that was it he sure tossed that coin real fucking high if it took months of them being the only options before he decided.

[@ivani3237]

@@DeathBlocks He waited answer from Merc - option for 2026 !! They declined

[@deckenneth]

Stability. The s*shows at Alpine and Audi would scare anyone of substance away. Placing your bet on James Vowles and the Merc engine for 2026 was a no brainer.

[@TimmyTheSnail]

Sainz has an impressive CV tbh. - Toro Rosso (basically Red Bull) - Renault - McLaren - Ferrari - Williams That’s some of the biggest names in F1

[@TheOneAboveYou]

There’s only 10 teams so ofc he would join some of the biggest teams

[@TimmyTheSnail]

@@TheOneAboveYouI’m talking about in the history of the sport all the teams in total. Williams isn’t a big team now but they were

[@milseq]

​@@TheOneAboveYouYou can't say the same about 80% of all drivers historically. Most of them come to shit teams, disappoint, and leave forever.

[@Hammertime4404]

He lost to Max and Hulkenberg but compared well against Norris and Leclerc. What does that say about Hulkenberg 👀

[@giulioiodice2114]

and everybody drove him away, mid tier driver better than perez worst than the others

[@SapTheseCasters]

Sainz signing with Williams a few days after Sauber/Audi announced binotto is so funny to me because he's had enough of binotto's leadership

[@Savant_Ananya]

What, infact Sainz respects Binotto a lot. Binotto was the one who got Sainz to Ferrari. If Audi would have made Binotto incharge earlier definitely Sainz would have gone to Audi.

[@jurom6765]

Didnt they hire him as chief technical officer ?

[@pato10111]

@@SapTheseCasters it's more likely that it will be years before Audi is competitive and Sainz has a better chance of proving himself in the short term with Williams.

[@tijsvanleemput5694]

@@Savant_Ananya I don't doubt he has respect for him, however he's seen Binotto's lack of leadership capabilities at Ferrari and knows that the same will probably happen at audi now too

[@aniketsakalley5374]

He didn't join Audi because he can see what a shitbox sauber is currently. You don't magically become faster with new regulations, you need to understand what you're doing wrong currently and make sure you don't repeat the same mistakes.there is no progress from sauber, why will sainz join a backmarker. Atleast with mercedes engine sainz can compete for p10 in race which is better than finishing every race back of the grid.

[@gilvansouza]

Aged 29, sounds like career suicide for Carlos, but given the choices available it really was the best of a bad bunch. Still ballsy move to ignore Audi...

[@Abercon25]

Plus 29 is still ‘young’ considering Alonso and Hamilton’s continued involvement in F1.

[@SportsF1boxingetc-qh4ym]

He has no intention of staying at Williams, they just agreed to the escape clause.

[@gilvansouza]

@@SportsF1boxingetc-qh4ym yeah you are probably right, there probably are performance related clauses to allow him to get out should a better opportunity materialize

[@gilvansouza]

@@Abercon25 I suppose but Carlos as good as he is, he is no Alonso or Hamilton...

[@RaptorV1USA]

Not if youve been following the news on Audi lately.. or listened t othe last few min of this clip.. It's clear James Key is not the answer. ...and when none of your options is what you really need and deserve..... i think he prob. made the best choice of what was available. Audi- No, Alpine- No, Williams- strong maybe, who else was there,.. Haas, RB...? AND... IF there is any chance Adrian Newey could end up back at Williams with a partial ownership stake in the company if that is whats needed to get him back in,...? that could be the game changer that tipped Carlos's decision...

[@RumeMiu]

10:50 "apart from that, it's a really good car..." LOL

[@melusijeisalngwenya4460]

"apart from that it's a really good car for F3" 😅😅😅

[@rodrigomolinsky]

That made me laugh so loud, for it was so from nowhere! 😂😂😂

[@DaybreakPT]

How to say your two cents and still be diplomatic. Watch and learn boys. 😅

[@rsm9793]

Hmmmm… Does Sainz know anything about a Newey return that we don’t know??? Would love to see that happening

[@sawankumar5448]

Williams would be cooking in 2025 if that happened

[@CommieHunter7]

I definitely read something to that effect. I think it was a rumor based on where he was looking at houses but if it's true it could be the reason why.

[@dontbesocool1991]

Make sense though. If Williams signs Newey, Mercedes will benifit from it indirectly. I swear.

[@markhill9275]

Sorry, but Newey is going to Aston.

[@dontbesocool1991]

@@markhill9275 nothing confirmed yet.

[@mduduzibhebhe4268]

Could it the Newey secret. That will change the game so much. Imagine Williams changing from the least to contending for a championship next year.

[@cpcxgsr]

as a RB fan... Let's not get ahead of yourself. Newey is a genius when it comes to designing rocketships.. But there's no way Williams will be fighting for championships... Minimum at best, I can see Newey design a car for Williams to be top 5... RB, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and then Williams.

[@Dominic-du4ow]

Newey started at Wiliams and he could finish it at Williams, a closed circle.

[@ChrispyNut]

Nah, won't be next year. '26 earliest possibility, if the new regs do come in for then. Next year will be too similar to this year and Williams still have an awful lot of kinks to work out of their processes and tech still to bring in.

[@lunaticgamer75]

It doesn’t happen that quick, they first need to be in top 5 and then if they get lucky, they fight for championship in 2-3 years in a very unlikely case

[@mr.fister4738]

He started at March in F1​@@Dominic-du4ow

[@Addyboy0190]

Sainz's statement is telling enough, "solid leadership" something lacking in both Alpine and Sauber/Audi

[@christianlewis7055]

I like James Vowles from what I've seen, he speaks how I want to hear a leader speak. He doesn't over promise or get dramatic, he just optimistically explains what's up and makes you feel good about it.

[@tbh1444]

I absolutely love this. Sir Frank is smiling down on this for sure. It would be great to see Williams battle McLaren and Ferrari again.

[@thorbostrom5883]

Yall should do a a standardized outro or sign off statement so the endings of your videos aren’t so abrupt. When listening and not watching, I often think it paused mid video.

[@y-tryusaki7916]

also no scream at the beggining of the video would be great

[@SilentGunner13]

Personally, I get a feeling that James Vowles is not just a man with a vision, but the technical knowledge and leadership capability to see it through. I think if anybody is going to drag Williams back to the sharp end of the field, it's him. I think Carlos has seen that too, and he's banking on it.

[@1985slipstream]

If Antonelli ends up being a dud at mercedes Sainz in the Williams is then in the perfect place to swap?

[@goodputin4324]

De vries

[@54_ocram46]

Already thinking about that, come on😂 Antonelli is not even confirmed, and if anything in that unlikely scenario, Max would go to Mercedes

[@king-lasagna]

​@@54_ocram46Only if Red Bull is way less competitive than Merc and if Marko moves with him (just got extended at RB) and Merc pays him more than his current 55M per year and so on...

[@amnzash9292]

it would look dumb on sainz if vestappen leaves end of the season. sainz could easily gets the seat at redbull

[@LetoxxIant]

You all talk like Williams is the junior-team if Mercedes. With this deal and in everything he was saying before Volwes already made it really clear - Williams wants to go back to the front and does not want to play the test-team for Merc junior drivers anymore.

[@monkieeeee]

He's made a wise and solid choice. The 2026 regulation changes are forecasted to unlock a new engine development race over several seasons, this favours Merc and we know that Williams will be using Merc engines in 2026 and onwards. Aero development will take a back seat, being expensive, complicated and time-consuming for accessing the same kind of gains available to the less costly "low-hanging" powertrain improvements, tight cost caps and additional regulatory restrictions will also limit the aero avenues. Williams should expect to benefit from additional cash flow if they carry on with their current form and P4P should be good straight out of the gates in 2026. Audi will face a similar situation to that of Mclaren Honda in 2015, years of woe chasing engine performance and reliability before engine development is finally locked down allowing them to catch up, limited aero development and early engine problems are going to be really hard to turn around, realistically 2029-30 before they become competitive for podiums. If the recent "moving on" of Seidel and Hoffmann is any indication of said progress, things are far from on track for 2026. Renault/Alpine are still in decline, which has been getting worse for years, nothing on the horizon looks to change that for 2026. Carlos made a best choice.

[@j.b.o6829]

That’s Antonelli to Mercedes nailed on then. Bottas or Perez for sauber/audi if Perez loses his seat at the end of the season? And then Doohan vs Schumacher for the alpine seat.

[@ViN-kr3ri]

No one's going to be interested in Perez as a driver but the money could be appealing to a cash strapped team.

[@loliamhere9528]

I don't think schumacher is coming back

[@soundscape26]

Hope Audi doesn't get rid of Bottas to get... Perez.

[@Xiphactinus]

@@soundscape26Audi could do the funniest thing ever and sign Magnussen

[@gouravghosh588]

He has been brilliant in LeMans, and the Alpine team is certainly impressed with him.​@loliamhere9528

[@amaanmobin1541]

Sainz has made a smart move, TOTO wants to wait in case Verstappen decides to switch chances of which are minimal, in that case if Antonelli does not perform as expected Sainz may be promoted to the works team

[@Gatotsu2009]

For the people who say "it´s Audi 1st year as a team owner" I want to remind you that when Redbull bought the Jaguar team (at the end of the previous year) the car was basically 100% designed by Ford and despite that they scored most points in their first years with Horner as team mamagnment so Audi needs A LOT OF WORK in order to be a decent team. Alpine is another mess, they had several managers/technical directors the last years and the fact despite been one of the teams that have been in the technical meetings for the 2026 engine regulations they are now thinking about being a Merc customer tells you how much they believe in their engine. Wiliams in the short term was the only smart move, hope the best.

[@martin9202]

True, but when Redbull got into F1, they had a clear vision and were able to sell it to attract drivers... Something like Williams is doing... Sauber/Audi looks like a mess and a power struggle... Not sure what are they doing, whatever it is, it just makes drivers unhappy...

[@shronklescrimblo69]

Now we wait for Newey

[@JakeM218]

Leaving the most successful team in F1 history for the second most successful team in F1 history.

[@zeeshanhaque]

Um no McLaren is

[@semadragun]

Exactly, going to Audi would have made no sense at all. Great move for Carlos.

[@Montas19]

@@zeeshanhaque Williams has 9 WCCs, McLaren has 8.

[@johnpatricklim4509]

@@JakeM218 Frank Williams will be smiling in his grave....

[@JD86Vintage]

​@@Montas19 but... McLaren has 20 championships (12 drivers, 8 constructors) to Williams 16 (7 drivers, 9 constructors). McLaren has more wins: 185:115 More podiums: 515:331 More poles: 158:128 More points, more fastest laps... the list goes on. It's really difficult to argue that Williams is "more successful" when you put their records next to each other. Will be impossible to argue anything else when McLaren wins this year's constructors championship thanks to Checco 😅

[@darkmatter6714]

No team based outside of the Motorsport Valley ecosystem has won a word title since 2007. Audi is not only NOT in Motorsport Valley but has a fractured team, part based in Switzerland and part based in Germany; which is even worse than being entirely based in one or the other. Could that have been a deciding factor?

[@Frameton.]

The thing about Audi ist that you know that sauber will be shit in 25, they'll poure all their resources into the 2026 car and just call 25 a lost year (a year that the team will not yet operature under the Audi brand) They could be incredible in 26, but going to a team that you know will be (really) bad for a whole season just to drive in a potentially good car the year after (without any track record) is just a huge gamble. For Hulkenberg it might pay off but for Sainz that is just too big of a gamble

[@the_lost_navigator7266]

I'm convinced they are sandbagging this year, to get the wind tunnel and CFD allowance for January (when 2026 work can begin). Yes, they are surely going to be poor next year,.Audi can afford to tread water with the current car.

[@MsZeeZed]

Multiverse Red Bull line-up 😹

[@anydaynow01]

Oh man, yeah, would be even more awesome if Williams is where Newey lands as his last project!

[@1985slipstream]

Doohan now a shoe in for the Alpine seat?

[@alexpeak16]

Very likely - he's probably the only one who wants that seat.

[@soundscape26]

I think they will try Bottas first if he really leaves Audi.

[@warpeace8891]

Aussie Aussie Aussie... 1, 2, 3.

[@rexhorrell]

Nope

[@RACECAR]

Flavio Briatore is his manager and Alpine do NOT want a repeat of the Piastri saga so of course.

[@jshumphress13]

Well you sold me at the end. Give me Zhou’s car. It sounds delightful to drive.

[@florisbackx1744]

I think Sainz chose the safe option and will be keeping his eye on the drivers market. It's hard to loose face at Williams, there is no pressure and the press laps up every story or excuse Vowles serves them. I'm 100% sure he has some good clauses in his contract that let him break it for a top 3 team. It may also be the reason why he didn't come to agreement with the works teams who will not be so lenient.

[@est1977santosLA]

Williams needs to bring back the yellow, blue, and white livery!!

[@ahmedsabrah4133]

i would love to see williams fighting for top again it's my 2nd fav team

[@mattcox919]

Why did Sainz pick Williams? James Vowles. He has shown he has a clear plan, is willing to sacrifice the short term to get long term performance and has delivered on what he said so far. Alpine and Sauber/Audi leadership is unstable and therefore less trustworthy. Vowles is the key difference and is very impressive

[@debrah5206]

I think Newey is going to Williams …

[@STANDARD_POTATO]

Jeremy Clarkson, also friend of Adrian Newey, has confirmed that he is house hunting in Oxfordshire

[@sobversion3]

​@STANDARD_POTATO ppl have said the same about his wife in Italy...we dont know where that man is going 😅

[@colinpastuch]

@@sobversion3 If you're stuck in Oxfordshire most of the time then a vacation house in Italy sounds lovely.

[@STANDARD_POTATO]

@@sobversion3 one rumour is in england, the other is in italy. France is in between england and italy, so Newey to Alpine then

[@Penguig]

​@@STANDARD_POTATO Alpine is based in Oxfordshire

[@stormforce7599]

Goes to show that when you are not wanted in one of the top teams you have to take what's available.

[@mustavogaia2655]

I wonder how much major Spanish sponsors with Sainz weighed in the decision. I mean, given that either sporting prospects seemed equal, maybe the final element, even the reason for the lateness, was exactly the commercial part, possibly with Williams offering the best sponsorship money sharing scheme.

[@galaxygrl1047]

Doriltan pls not Williams. FORMER Williams. NYC VC owns 100% of this team. Toto sold his 5%. The profits are reaped and car is a tractor Carlos needs professional mgmt or rally w/his father

[@tudore_jams]

I'm a Williams fan now. Eagerly awaiting a Williams win, whenever that may come, for it would be truly amazing!!

[@akadanielmaia]

Having an in house engine program is one hell of a gamble not a positive advantage imo

[@florisbackx1744]

If you want to make it big you need to gamble, if you want a secure job you go to Williams.

[@Lora_Beolab]

that depends on the regulations, most of the times it's been an advantage

[@neo1711]

@@Lora_Beolab unless you're Renault

[@every8160]

Binotto in Audi Sainz : Nah no

[@KyllanMan]

I'm a Williams fan since i was a little kid, haven't seen em with such a good lineup for years

[@warpeace8891]

I thought you were extinct.

[@RickZanardi]

Basically since Montoya-Ralf Schumacher. Even though Bottas-Massa and Heidfeld-Webber were also good

[@galaxygrl1047]

Bro this team is not WILLIAMS! It’s Doriltan a NYC VC who own 100%. They are corp raiders bought team on the cheap and taking all profits. Team uses excel; a warehouse and the only metal tractor on grid. Read Vowles interview with Bloomberg a few weeks ago

[@sophiaemily1819]

williams and sauber may be the bottom 2 teams rn in 2024, but i think a big draw towards williams is that you never hear anything about their management, they seem to be incredibly stable with vowles and fry at the helm, while sauber has just gone through massive change in firing seidl and hoffmann

[@cosminth]

he knows something.

[@ChrispyNut]

Don't we all. 😝

[@JakeM218]

2nd most successful team in F1 history. More successful than even Mercedes and Red Bull.

[@Lora_Beolab]

@@JakeM218 the history of Williams is'nt relevant beacuse the things that made them succsefull have been gone for some time, hopefully they're coming back because drivers are only focused on the future

[@JakeM218]

@@Lora_Beolab I’d say it’s the other way round. The things that have made Mercedes successful in recent years have now gone. The contract requiring customer teams to run lower engine modes is now banned in the rules, and their crazy spending power was nullified by the budget cap. Red Bull’s car advantage was a combination of spending power, and Newey - both of which are no longer applicable either.

[@81caasi]

@@JakeM218 Hmmm, interesting points. Why are people mentioning Newey when has already been confirmed for Ferrari?

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

Williams would be my choice of the three for both next year and into the future, they have lots of great folks in all the right places and clearly have a free enough hand to invest and tear up the established order at the previously struggling team - Enough to convince Albon to commit to stay while the market was so open says alot.. Though with the regs change nobody will know what is happening until all the new cars hit the track under the same conditions a few times, there have been shocks in both directions with Aston Martins performance being shocking good though now faded and Mercedes getting a bit lost...

[@tarisznya]

He has a solid Excel knowledge, so choosing Williams was a no brainer

[@warpeace8891]

Excel was discarded and Carlos is it's replacement.

[@glianearlan]

Now we have a CarBon tandem in Williams

[@clintblacktiger8229]

Not to forget the clauses he mostly wouldn’t have gotten at alpine and Audi ;) Like being able to leave the team for a top team

[@straight-edgemalu]

Vowels confirmed there are no such clauses in his contract. He was given the option commit or get out. He has 2 years with an option for an extension. If the Williams car is decent or even good at the end of 2026 he could be convinced to extend.

[@Jesus.X]

Williams is going to have a good season. Buying my merch right now.

[@phichau90]

Williams. 🤔🤔🤔🤨🤨🤨. I really hope this is not a downfall for Carlos. I actually thought he would go to Audi.

[@wasru.]

audi will prob be slower for longer unless they just make a crazy engine

[@CamTooling]

@@wasru.it’s Audi, they’ve been making crazy engines and fast cars for decades.

[@KyleMc16]

He saw Binotto was hired and noped out of there.

[@miguelcebriancarrasco1907]

@@CamTooling not in f1, Toyota also had a winning pedigree in other disciplines and look at how they did

[@Lora_Beolab]

@@miguelcebriancarrasco1907 yeah but back then there was'nt a costcap (so there was the extra hurdle of outspending) and balance of performance

[@sanderelmendorp6399]

Williams signing Sainz tells me Newey is coming as well. Dont say Clarckson didnt tell us already

[@selder_7]

Sainz is better suited to this than a top seat (since he won’t settle into being number 2) and I think it’ll be interesting to see how Albon compares. Albon lost to Verstappen and beat Latifi and Sargent, but that just means he isn’t the best or the worst on the grid - other than that, we don’t know. But we will soon

[@davidporeilly1]

Bruno Fanin clearly more comfortable being the guy looking over someone's shoulder and thumping the desk than actually running things and having someone looking over his shoulder.

[@drunkenhobo8020]

I'm not sure why so many people expect Audi to be a good car. The current Sauber is comfortably the worst on the grid, so they have a terrible starting point. And we've also had BMW, Toyota, Honda all enter F1 in the last few decades and do... nothing. Renault were successful for two years almost 20 years ago. Only Mercedes have come in and been a massive success, but even that was with a suspiciously good engine.

[@straight-edgemalu]

It also took Mercedes years to get it right.

[@FullTimeGaming360]

They also took over Brawn which was doing well. Audi are essentially taking over Minardi...

[@whatfffd]

The right team from the options he had

[@giedmich]

It was mind blowing decision by audi to hire Andreas Seidl. That few years of preparations are lost while under his "leadership".

[@the_lost_navigator7266]

The current McLaren team are benefiting from infrastructure put in place by him. Having said that, Mattia is a great technical hire.

[@shahbazm88]

Williams is what I'd have gone with too, even without all this info. It's a gut feeling. With Vowles leading, the team is not only building solidly, it's also one of the most non-toxic teams.

[@jmart0820]

He’s there just incase mercedes put kimi next year and doesn’t work. He’s basically a mercedes reserve driver.

[@Montas19]

Williams is not Mercedes' 2nd team.

[@mikeakarayj]

You guys have to do a video of the rumors of a Renault General Motors alliance

[@crusherbmx]

Williams was the best choice, it's the quickest road to success. Audi has to make a new engine, make it work good, and at the same time restructure the team to their way of doing things. Williams just needs to clean up the mess they got themselves into over the last few seasons.I think Audi will be successful, but maybe 4 or 5 years from now....and Alpine...well....that's a bit of a gong show at the moment...

[@warpeace8891]

This looks like a mistake from the outside. Williams have proved nothing positive in over a decade. Their words sound exactly like Renault of the previous decade except their results have been even worse. Keeping Sargeant is an indictment of their decision making competency, when they could have had the pick of the rookie talent pool. Even Antonelli for the second half of this year would be effectively a "pay driver" to test him out for Mercedes. Williams have deficiencies obvious to all in every aspect of their business. When the regulations change I expect them to go back to 9th or 10th despite their excellent drivers. Who will want Saintz after this? Definitely none of the front runners especially if Albon beats him at Williams which is more likely than not.

[@leonardomatheus1888]

I hope Willians can become competitive again. I was hoping for a Mercedes move, i guess Mercedes wasn't interested

[@wasru.]

mercedes are pretty clearly in love with antonelli, but they've been holding out because they have nothing to lose and the slim odds of verstappen leaving red bull

[@ibex485]

Toto's been chasing Max hard, trying to lure him away from RBR. Max reportedly has an exit clause in his contract allowing him to leave if Helmut Marko isn't there. And Jos has reportedly been pushing for him to leave. Marko's contract (which is with Red Bull, not RBR) was only renewed for 1 year last year and was due to end this year. He's on the other side in the RB civil war, so was expected to be let go. But Marko's just signed a new deal with RB, which in principle closes off Max leaving RB (unless he comes to an agreement & buys his way out). Sainz was waiting to see if Max would leave RBR. He was turned down as a replacement for Perez. But if Max left... RBR would be desperate to have Sainz. All this would appear to leave Toto high and dry, there are no more top tier drivers left on the open market. And he's lost the option of parking Antonelli at Williams to gain experience (which seemed the more likely option, things have cooled a bit with Antonelli).

[@St4nger]

I feel like sainz at williams can be a win win. Could be great to have 2 drivers capable of getting the most out of the car + sainz experience when it comes to feedback about the car. The other way round sainz could prove himself by geeting constant points in a williams getting himself into position for 26/27.

[@The29Dave]

Toto really is trying to poach Max then, and turning Russel into his Bottas in the process

[@franckvoisin4003]

Russell already turned into Bottas. Remember Imola 2021? ;)

[@SLO722]

Love your description of the Sauber @10:39 😃😃😃😃😃

[@PoshBergie]

Such a fall for someone that deserves a much better car.. 😮

[@yesman2755]

Carlos going from front to back. What an injustice. Can’t remember anything like this ever happening before. And to one of the greatest drivers out there. Kudos to Williams though. With him being there I reckon it would be easier to free him up for Merc if Antonella doesn’t work out.

[@deathbysloth3180]

Blows my mind that a top team wouldn’t take sainz but out of the three teams Williams was by far the best option

[@BluMustang]

Red Bull doesn't because the Sainz and Verstappen families dont get along, Merc is a bit of a headscratcher - but supposedly Sainz has an exit clause in the Williams contract in case Red Bull (again, they wont) or Merc offer him a job. So this may not be the final word (and even if - it is only for one season)

[@drunkenhobo8020]

@@BluMustang Does anyone anywhere get on with Jos Verstappen though?

[@TheBigdutchster]

Great report.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

I think Lewis is trying to figure out how to cancel that Ferrari contract LOL. Carlos should just hold out and see.

[@jewulo]

Not really. He wants more than a years contract.

[@Jos-z5v]

Not surprised, he had the choice to have a relationship with Kate Middleton, Cardi B and Kim Kardashian, he chose Kate Middleton.

[@OneIdeaTooMany]

Albon has been carrying the team so next year is going to be really fun to watch as a williams driver.

[@galaxygrl1047]

With four points 😂 this team is going nowhere

[@D_veraz]

I believe Binotto was key in Sainz signing for Williams.

[@paullavallee1631]

Best option for Carlos

[@COMPNOR]

So Sainz is sacrificing his career to drive for a subpar team instead of signing with the incredible potential of Audi. RIP his F1 career.

[@Nikelaos_Khristianos]

For the people who don’t understand why Antonelli doesn’t have the Williams seat, it’s really simple: Vowles decides who drives for Williams and NOT Mercedes. Williams is NOT a Mercedes “feeder team” - it happened once with George Russell and only sort of with Bottas. That’s it.

[@JasonXYT]

I feel like sainz should have gone to hass, they are doing pretty well right now

[@dipitsh]

I would drive blindfolded at night in the mountains if James Vowles agreed to guide me through it. This man can sell anything. If this man sold that seat to Sainz, there must be something he's planning for 2026 or even 2025.

[@EnglishLawyer]

Remember Williams only had one driver... Albon. If there were two class drivers, they would be higher up the list ahead of Haas and possibly RB. So Sainz can see the future.

[@SportsF1boxingetc-qh4ym]

This is all about the escape clause, Sainz has no intention of staying at Williams it's clearly a stepping stone. Williams is the best of a bad bunch. You're welcome "The Race".

[@SportsF1boxingetc-qh4ym]

Well said my man.

[@VelvetBlades]

Great analysis, well broken down. Really good video

[@gn0015]

Carlos sees Seidl at Audi: Oh it's my old boss! I'd love to work with him again! Carlos sees Binotto at Audi: Gee whiz it my old boss! I don't wanna work with him again!

[@DigitalianFX-GT]

Frank Williams would have been proud of James Vowles..

[@Qwepzy]

Given VW have soo many car brands would have loved to see Lamborghini rather than Audi

[@albertpietrosanu2667]

Williams seems to be one of the best choice- new staff, new feeling and wondefull people. I hope to see again that team on podium.

[@terrellboyd7583]

I think he made the best decision. I would’ve done the same.

[@patrickschellen737]

Same here, seriously believe in Vowles leadership

[@bumblebity2902]

Mercedes would've been better

[@sanderdegroot6227]

Great explanation, cheers!

[@ValenciaBrosCoD]

Toto could be making the worst decision of his succesfull career by not signing Carlos over Antonelli..

[@timmanto1022]

So its 2 years with an option to extend. He can leave once the new regs are in place.

[@robertvansteinshwaga]

Sainz is out of his mind. Audi or Alpine would of been better choices.

[@scottbrick9918]

The question now is who takes the other sauber/Audi seat

[@akadanielmaia]

When is someone highlighting the Belgium learnings? With less practice time on the track there was a way less predictable and more opened race. I wish F1 reduced practice time to make this happen more often.