P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A customer team with an overweight F1 car and a patchy recent record managed to steal Carlos Sainz from under the noses of two major manufacturers. How come?
Carlos Sainz has made the decision to join Williams after leaving Ferrari, turning down offers from Audi and other major Formula 1 teams. Williams managed to secure Sainz’s signature despite finishing last in four of the past seven championships, beating out potential competition due to doubts surrounding Audi’s takeover of Sauber and leadership changes within the organization. The long-term project of Audi to develop their own F1 engine and become competitive may not align with Sainz’s goals for immediate success and progress in his career. Williams, lacking a standout competitive edge in the short-term, ultimately won over Sainz with their vision and potential for improvement in the future. The uncertainty surrounding Audi’s project and the likelihood of a longer-term development process were key factors that influenced Sainz’s decision in choosing Williams as his next team in Formula 1.
