Jul.31 (GMM) James Vowles shouldn’t be confirming recommendations that Carlos Sainz’s newly-signed contract with Williams comprises a sequence of distinctive exit clauses.
With Ferrari changing him subsequent yr with Lewis Hamilton, and Crimson Bull and Mercedes not discovering a spot for the 29-year-old Spaniard, Sainz has picked Williams as the only option out of the remaining Components 1 groups for 2025 “and past”.
Nonetheless, rampant hypothesis means that whereas the deal would possibly run for 2, three or much more seasons beginning subsequent yr, Sainz’s administration crew has engineered straightforward methods for the 3-time race winner to flee the contract if a prime crew got here knocking.
“I’m shocked Mercedes and Crimson Bull didn’t signal Carlos,” Williams crew boss Vowles informed Marca sports activities newspaper this week.
“The competitors is getting nearer and nearer, so the motive force actually could make a distinction. And I’m not simply speaking about efficiency, however I’ve observed Carlos has considerably improved the entire groups he’s been in.
“So it’s nice information for us,” Vowles added. “I see him because the second greatest driver on the grid at instances and positively within the prime 4.”
Vowles says he has been sincere with Sainz all through, making it clear that whereas Williams would possibly wrestle to be on the entrance within the “quick time period”, he has bold targets for the long run.
However will Sainz really make it into the longer-term future with Williams?
Spanish F1 commentator Antonio Lobato informed DAZN this week that he has heard there are “fascinating exit clauses” within the contract “in case a seat at one of many huge groups turns into free”.
Vowles wouldn’t affirm that.
“There are precisely ten individuals on this planet who know what’s inside that contract,” he insisted.
Nonetheless, he freely admits that the negotiation course of, involving potential leaks to the media, has been “a bit extra public than I’d usually like”.
As for the wording of the announcement, with Sainz committing for 2025, 2026 “and past”, Vowles concluded: “That was Carlos’ request.”
