Sainz defined that his first impressions had been “optimistic”, and he mentioned Williams’ willingness to host a day for media and sponsors and provides the automobile its debut on the identical time was indicative of the progress the workforce had made.
Final yr, the workforce struggled firstly of the season as makes an attempt to introduce new processes within the workforce delayed the automobile construct. A crash-strewn 2024 season has additionally impacted the workforce financially.
Sainz, whose seat at Ferrari was taken by Lewis Hamilton, mentioned he needed Williams to proceed to point out progress in 2025 as they construct in direction of the brand new rules that shall be launched in F1 in 2026.
“You will need to preserve the momentum up, preserve the optimistic development, the ahead trajectory,” Sainz mentioned.
“And if we handle to maintain that momentum going and driving the wave in a method, that for me is crucial as a result of Williams’ large alternative comes extra in ’26 than ’25.”
Sainz shrugged off a query as to how he would really feel when he sees Hamilton in a Ferrari for the primary time by saying he had “been by that already” after seeing the seven-time champion’s look on the Ferrari manufacturing facility final month.
Spaniard Sainz received 4 grands prix for Ferrari in his 4 years with the workforce and mentioned he was unsure how he would really feel about his inevitable fall down the sector.
“I do not know the way a lot I’m going to overlook it, how a lot enjoyable I’m going to seek out it combating for P7-P15,” Sainz mentioned. “Perhaps you might want to ask me later within the yr how I’m discovering it.
“However what I can inform you is I am very pleased and motivated, I’m excited, I really feel supported. I really feel a workforce full of fine, optimistic power and a workforce principal and workforce that totally trusts in my talents and desires to take heed to what I’ve to say and I’ve confidence in my skill to maneuver ahead.”
Staff boss James Vowles mentioned the automobile was an “evolution” of final yr’s mannequin however that the workforce’s prime focus this yr was to make sure it was finest ready for 2026, when new engine and chassis guidelines come on stream collectively for the primary time in F1’s trendy period.
“Everyone seems to be aligned, and that features Carlos and Alex, that we wish to be successful championships and for that we will not preserve giving a bit bit in direction of now as a result of it appears to be like higher,” Vowles mentioned.
“When you put your give attention to the next yr you miss out on that long-term evolution. There are bits we’re doing right now that will not come on line till 2027.
“The actual fact we have gone from 700 individuals to 1,000 means you will have low-hanging fruit of manufacturing a greater automobile with extra efficiency added to it, however I think about that second to the long-term funding to get us the place we must be.”
