P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams team principal James Vowles has revealed he was “surprised” that Mercedes and Red Bull did not pursue his new driver.
Williams team principal James Vowles expressed surprise that both Red Bull and Mercedes did not aggressively pursue Carlos Sainz, considering him one of the top drivers in Formula 1. Sainz’s decision to join Williams was seen as a significant move for the struggling team, which has been fighting in the midfield and towards the back of the grid. Despite offers from top teams like Mercedes and Red Bull, Sainz ultimately chose between Williams, Alpine, and Stake. Vowles praised Sainz’s ability to drive performance and lead team improvements, highlighting the impact the Spaniard can have on Williams. With Mercedes offering a shorter contract and Red Bull avoiding internal conflicts with Verstappen, Sainz’s decision brought a new dynamic to the F1 driver market.
