James Vowles has detailed ho re-signing Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz was key to the Williams Formula 1 team’s morale.
During the summer break, rumours about driver contracts and potential moves are rife as open seats on the grid spark plenty of discussion. Williams was one of the teams that drew attention as rumours of Carlos Sainz being unhappy with the step back the Grove outfit has taken in 2026 were circulating.
James Vowles was praised heavily when Sainz joined the team, the Ex-Ferari and McLaren driver bringing a wealth of experience and skill to a team that has been struggling for well over a decade.
However, despite the steps forward they made in 2025, the overhaul of regulations reset the progress for the team, as it saw them resign themselves to the back of the field.
Yet, just ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Williams announced that the team would be holding onto both drivers for the foreseeable future, an important boost for the Grove team, which is undoubtedly struggling.
In Friday’s Team Representatives’ press conference ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, Motorsport Week asked Vowles how important it was to lock down Sainz, especially reflecting on the team’s reaction when he was initially signed with the team.
“First of all, I would say it’s both… I don’t know if we publicised the Alex one, which we did the day before, but it was a very similar response,” he said.
An important morale boost
Vowles recognised that it hasn’t been the season Williams hoped for, so to have the trust of the two drivers into the future – particularly of their calbire – meant a great deal.
“It’s [Williams] a team that’s hurting; there’s no doubt about it,” he admitted. “We’re not where we want to be; this is not what we planned for.
“So to have the news that two of your leaders are by your side, growing with you, and believe in the journey you’re on is incredibly powerful for an organisation, especially when we’re asking what we are to them.”
Vowles made it clear that while the media focuses primarily on Sainz because of his past with Ferrari and McLaren, both drivers hold significant weight for going above and beyond for the team.
“First, I would say it’s both, but yes, to your point, both drivers aren’t just about what they bring on track; it’s about the leaders they are behind the scenes.
“An example of that is when this winter went pretty poorly, both flew to the UK and spent time with the team to effectively just support them in every way that they could, which is… It’s unusual, let’s put it that way, but it’s an indication of who they are as characters.”
Sainz made it clear in his media session earlier in the weekend that he wasn’t ready to give up on the team, especially as it was a project he believed in, with Williams having a bright future in his eyes.
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