James Vowles has been active in the driver market for most of 2024. The Williams team principal spent months working to strengthen his driver line-up, eventually convincing Carlos Sainz to join the team. Sainz is a landmark signing for Williams, whose signature was only secured after months of negotiations – as James Vowles explains.
Initially, the expectation across the paddock was that Sainz would sign a deal with Audi.
The German manufacturer’s interest in signing him was common knowledge.
However, the Spaniard was clearly hesitant to join Audi’s project.
Perhaps due to the recent investment at Williams, or their willingness to offer Sainz more contract flexibility, the Ferrari driver eventually accepted the offer made by James Vowles.
Vowles explains Carlos Sainz negotiations
Speaking to the media last weekend, Vowles discussed the process of securing Sainz’s signature:
“So, it was shockingly close to dating. That’s what it was like getting Carlos across the line,” he told DAZN.
“It started with light text messages, and it ended with me going to his hotel room. That’s really what happened.
“The way, though, of getting him across the line was – from the beginning to now – the same message.
“All the good things and all the bad things. When you do it over one week, it doesn’t make a difference.
“But when you do it for six months, and he can see everything coming to fruition, then it makes a difference…
“I never changed my approach, just being honest about him with the good and the bad.”
Pressure increases for Williams
Over the last three days, reports have only intensified surrounding the Williams camp.
Logan Sargeant could be replaced before the Italian GP, such is the extent of James Vowles’ frustration with his performances.
Should either Schumacher or Lawson replace Sargeant, it would be another example of James Vowles’ ruthlessness.
However, this cutthroat attitude must lead to results.
The former Mercedes engineer is well aware of this, and Carlos Sainz’s arrival at Grove is set to heighten expectations.
For all the optimism surrounding Williams in recent years, on-track progress
