Williams team principal James Vowles reveals the reason for the contract extensions of his drivers Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz. At the end of the summer break, it was announced that both drivers had signed with Williams until 2027. Vowles honestly admits that he was afraid of losing both Albon and Sainz: “They are drivers of world championship level.”
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Max Verstappen was not the only driver who started the Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort with a contract extension in hand. Williams also announced just before the return of Formula 1 that Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz would drive for the British team until 2027. For team principal James Vowles, the extension was a relief.
“I was worried that we would lose both of them, because they are drivers of world championship level who deserve the chance to compete for podiums or more, and we had not offered them that,” the Brit honestly told the media in Zandvoort. “What I am grateful for is that they stood by us when we had problems. It shows the outside world… that they believe in what the future of Williams looks like.”
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According to the Williams team principal, the contract extensions of the two drivers even lifted ‘a real weight off the shoulders’ of the factory staff. “The extensions were therefore incredibly important,” he added in the press conference. “When a team undergoes major changes, it is nice to have stability. It also certainly shows that the confidence and belief in the Williams project is still there.”
The concerns of Sainz
Especially Carlos Sainz had doubts about his future at Williams. Earlier this season, the Madrilenian was also linked with Audi. “I think that somewhere in the back of my mind I always wanted to extend my contract, but I was worried,” an honest Sainz said in Zandvoort. “I was afraid that we had to make sure this dip in form would not happen again.”
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