Carlos Sainz Jr is experiencing a rather unusual year at Williams. After leaving Ferrari at the end of 2024—not by his own choice—the Spanish driver has faced a very challenging season, struggling to adapt to the new car. Until the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where he secured an impressive podium with the Grove team, Sainz had only accumulated 16 points. That third-place finish effectively doubled his season tally, moving him up to 12th in the drivers’ standings.
The Madrid-born driver has always maintained that he would have been able to fight for the World Championship if placed in a competitive car. Comparisons with his teammates have not always gone in his favor. At McLaren, he consistently beat Lando Norris, but he only outperformed Charles Leclerc back in 2021. Currently, he is clearly being outpaced by Alexander Albon at Williams.
Villeneuve reflects on Carlos Sainz’s career: “History repeats itself at Ferrari too”
Nevertheless, 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve believes strongly in Sainz’s potential. Speaking to ‘OLBG’, he explained his viewpoint: “In every team he’s worked with, the same pattern occurs. It takes him some time to get in sync with the car, but during that period, he works hard and helps the team improve. The teammate might initially be faster, but often that speed is achieved thanks to Carlos’ effort.”
“Then Sainz improves and beats his teammate. Even looking at his time at Ferrari, Leclerc was not better than him, contrary to popular belief,” Villeneuve added, emphasizing the bigger picture beyond seasonal results. “Every time he changes teams, the previous team struggles. It has always happened, and now it’s happening again at Ferrari.”
Villeneuve’s point is valid. McLaren also suffered a decline immediately after Sainz’s departure. However, it should be noted that McLaren is not necessarily a perfect example, since it is from the post-Sainz period that Andre Stella began rebuilding the team to become the squad now poised to win its second consecutive Constructors’ Championship and possibly bring the Drivers’ Championship back to Woking for the first time since Hamilton in 2008.
Essentially, Carlos Sainz’s results this season do not fully reflect his true abilities. According to Villeneuve, it would be a mistake for Carlos to consider another team change, given the value he brings to Williams: “He should be satisfied with what he has contributed to Williams. He is seen as the glue of the team and they want him there. He should think twice before switching teams,” Villeneuve concluded, as reported by ‘Marca.com’.
Currently, most of the coveted seats in F1 are already confirmed. Mercedes is expected to finalize its lineup, likely without surprises. The only top team still to confirm a driver is Red Bull, where the situation remains unique. Carlos Sainz had an opportunity to be considered for a seat last year, but the deal did not materialize. It seems unlikely that 2025 will present a different scenario.
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