Charles Leclerc believes that it will be a “matter of time” until Williams returns to the top in Formula 1 due to the impact that Carlos Sainz’s input will have on the team.
Sainz’s time with Leclerc at Ferrari came to an end last season, having vacated the drive he’d held since 2021 as seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton replaced him.
The Spaniard arrived at Ferrari with the Italian marque having endured its worst campaign since 1980 as it had slumped to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, Sainz departed with Ferrari appearing in strong shape to mount a sustained title challenge in 2025 as it secured five victories en route to second position.
Leclerc commended his ex-team-mate’s contribution to Ferrari’s progress in recent times and insisted that Sainz’s presence also inspired him to reach greater heights.
“I think Lando [Norris] and myself are probably the two best persons to speak about it, because we’ve been sharing the same team [Norris at McLaren] with Carlos for many years,” Leclerc told media including Motorsport Week.
“And I can tell you, Carlos is so incredibly talented. He’s helped me to improve in so many areas, his work ethic, his talent, just everything he brings.
“The discipline he has, he’s been just such an incredible team-mate. And I think if today, I will repeat myself, but if today we have done such a step forward in a year and in these four years, it’s a big thanks to Carlos.
“He’s just been extremely quick. And in Formula 1, as Lando said, some things you don’t really have explanations for. There’s also luck that is involved to be at the right place at the right time and Carlos definitely deserves to be in a top team.”
How Sainz will improve Williams
Along with losing his place at Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull overlooking Sainz resigned him to a move down the order to a Williams team that concluded 2024 in ninth.
Leclerc, though, is convinced that Sainz’s well-renowned attention to detail will prove instrumental in the Grove-based squad’s endeavours to recapture its former glories.
“But I’m sure that it’s just a matter of time before he comes back and joins us to fight for wins,” he added.
“He will give so much to Williams, the way he’s so sensitive to every small change and every small feeling there is in the car.
“I’m pretty sure that already tomorrow [when Sainz tested a Williams car in the post-season test] they will have a lot of valuable feedback that will help them for next year.”
Leclerc will ‘miss the fights’ with Sainz
Leclerc has admitted he will miss the tight competition that he had with Sainz, even the occasions where close moments on track had prompted some tension to build.
“I’ll definitely miss the fights. We’ve had our moments on track, but that’s only because we were fighting so close together and because he’s been pushing me all the way,” he continued.
“And it’s been an absolute pleasure. And of course, in some moments, in the actual moment, in the present moment, there’s frustration.
“But I’m sure that, and actually already now, I’m looking back at those moments with a lot of positive memories.
“And I wouldn’t be the driver I am today without him as my team-mate in the last four years.
“So yeah, it’s been a really big pleasure and four years that I will be looking back in the most positive way. And I wish him the best.
“But as I said, I have no doubts that he will be back at the top of the grid, whether it’s with Williams by his input or with someone else.
“But he deserves that. I think everybody knows that. And it’s just a matter of time before he comes back.”
READ MORE – Williams reveals when it hopes to give Carlos Sainz a race-winning F1 car
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