Williams boss James Vowles has warned Carlos Sainz that it doesn’t want to serve as a “stepping stone” in a Formula 1 driver’s career as he weighs up his next move.
Sainz is continuing to hold up movement in the F1 driver market as he contemplates concrete proposals from Alpine, Sauber/Audi and Williams to obtain his services.
Despite several drivers claiming Sainz’s indecision is preventing them from resolving their 2025 switch, the Spaniard is adamant that he won’t be rushed into a choice.
Williams is among the teams that are awaiting an answer from Sainz as Vowles has admitted in public on multiple occasions that he stands as the side’s main target.
However, Vowles has indicated he could lose patience with the protracted saga at some stage as he cited that Williams wants a driver that’s committed to its venture.
“I think we’ve been fairly forthright and open on who we’d like to sign, but that doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen,” Vowles told talkSPORT.
“We know where we place in the grand scheme of things.
“What I would say is this, what I want is a driver that also wants to be a part of our journey, that wants to really, understands what Williams is about, both the old and the new, and wants that to be at the heart of what they’re doing driving wise.
“And sometimes that doesn’t match up. Sometimes it does, but that’s really important to me.”
Sainz was believed to have been targeting a return to Red Bull or the vacant seat at Mercedes, which could still be an option amid a declaration from boss Toto Wolff.
However, Vowles has suggested that Williams would be opposed to providing a driver with a short-term contract that would allow them to explore avenues elsewhere.
Asked whether he wanted to avoid the Grove-based squad being a ‘stepping stone’, Vowles said: “Correct. And that’s not what I see at all. I left Mercedes to come here.
“The reason why I did is not because I’m bored of winning, but rather I want to invest in something that’s my own, that has my fingerprint on it, and the fingerprint of a thousand other people working in this organisation, and the fingerprint of Alex [Albon] that would join us on that journey.
“That’s important to me. It’s important to him. And I want that to be at the foundation of a decision.”
Meanwhile, Vowles expressed that he holds a positive relationship with both Sainz and his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, who is an active figurehead within the F1 paddock.
But while he can understand Sainz requires time to get his head around his inevitable move down the grid, Vowles has stressed that Williams has alternative options.
“I think in the case of, [Carlos Sainz] Sr and I have a good relationship,” Vowles stated.
“I like him. He’s a multiple World Champion. There’s every reason behind it, he knows what he’s talking about.
“In the case of [Carlos Sainz] Jr, I get it. To some extent, his dream was to be in a Ferrari or in a top team. That’s not happening, and you need adaptation period to it.
“My goal behind it is simply to lay it on the table. This is what we can offer, if you want it, great, we’re here.
“And if you don’t, not a problem. We’re going to find our own pathway through to things.
“So his timeline might not be the same as my timeline is the best way of putting it.”
