Carlos Sainz reveals what has 'most impressed' him about Williams so far

Carlos Sainz has detailed how the attitude of the Williams team during his first experience of working with them at the end of season test in Abu Dhabi left him “extremely impressed”, with the Spaniard noting the squad’s motivation despite a challenging run of races to close out 2024.

Just one day after his final race as a Ferrari driver, Sainz participated in a filming day for the team at the Yas Marina Circuit before continuing his running at the wheel of a Williams during the test session one day later.

Since then the 30-year-old has been acclimatising himself further at the Grove-based outfit and, speaking during a staff Q&A fronted by Team Principal James Vowles whilst visiting the squad’s factory, Sainz was quizzed on what his first impressions had been during those first days of working with Williams in Abu Dhabi.

“Honestly, very positive,” the four-time race winner responded. “I think we had a very productive two days of test[ing], also thanks to everyone that made that possible. Also the filming day on Monday helped a lot to make sure that on Tuesday we were straight into work.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 10: Carlos Sainz of Spain driving the (55) Williams FW46 — Sainz first got behind the wheel of a Williams F1 car during post-season testing in Abu Dhabi

“I think this was something that I really appreciated because it meant I could use that full Abu Dhabi tyre test to my advantage and to our advantage.”

Sainz particularly praised the enthusiastic attitude of the team at the test, which came after they had endured several significant crashes during the final races of the 2024 season.

“I think the thing that I was most impressed about, if I’m honest with you, is just how motivated everyone was, even at the end of the year when we all know you went through a tough last few races, a lot of hard work here at the factory, a lot of hard work at the track to get the two cars to keep going after such a bad run of crashes,” Sainz explained.

“And I found people that were really enthusiastic and very motivated to work [during] those two days, and it’s not easy because in [the] Abu Dhabi test everyone is, after a triple header, very low on energy.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 10: Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams prepares to drive — Sainz was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Williams team in Abu Dhabi after a tough run for the squad at the end of 2024

“I’ve done that test with other teams and I know how tired everyone gets [at] the end of the season at that stage, and I saw [smiling] faces everywhere, I saw people wanting to participate, wanting to collaborate, wanting to make that test as positive as possible.

“And honestly I was extremely impressed by that, and I really enjoyed the two days and it was a perfect way to go into the winter, knowing I have the full backing and I have everyone pushing flat out through the rest of the winter.”

Sainz does not have long to wait to see his new challenger for 2025, with Williams set to reveal their car on February 14 as part of a special promotional event at Silverstone.

The FW47 will be unveiled in a bespoke livery before the team showcase their race livery for the campaign during the F1 75 Live season launch event at The O2 on February 18.