New driving duo Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will be seeking to elevate fortunes at Williams for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
An offseason overhaul of design and manufacturing processes meant Williams started 2024 on the backfoot with an overweight car.
The team spent a large portion of the campaign stripping back that weight and thus only added a true performance package at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
A series of high-speed crashes also contributed to Williams slipping from seventh to ninth in the Constructors’ standings from 2023 to ’24.
The team isn’t expecting a huge jump in performance from the car in 2025 but it has pulled off the signing of multiple GP winner Carlos Sainz with the Spaniard joining the project on a multi-year deal.
The arrival of Sainz brings a new mentality to Grove and gives Albon a driver he must rise to match, rather than having a team-mate he can beat with relative ease.
Team Principal James Vowles has gone as far as to say he has the best driver pairing on the grid.
“I think I have the best or a combination of either the best drivers on the grid, there’s no politics between them,” he said.
“They’re both incredibly fierce competitors, but they develop a team, they’re leaders at the same time.”
But what should the drivers expect from their 2025 campaigns?
Carlos Sainz
Lewis Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari forced Sainz on a new path and the Spaniard has chosen to lead Williams’ revival.
Following a troubled 2024 campaign, Williams is adamant the days of anguish will lead to a brighter future.
In 2025, Sainz must adapt well to being back in the mire of the F1 midfield and consistently trouble the top-10.
Sainz has made it clear that 2025 will be “tough” and that it is his job to help lead Williams back to its glory days of race wins and titles.
“[2025] is going to be a tough year and a learning year before we prepare for the change of regulations in ‘26, where I believe the team is investing and the team is preparing to maximise that chance.
“What I can tell you is that I’m as determined as ever to help that team to be back where it belongs.”
Alex Albon
Throughout his time at Williams, Albon has rarely been troubled by the driver on the other side of the garage.
Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant proved no match for the Anglo-Thai driver but the mid-season arrival of Franco Colapinto at the 2024 Italian GP proved to be a stern test for Albon.
Sainz is an altogether different and more experienced proposition than Colapinto and, after the Argentine ran Albon close, he will have to step up his game to another level to retain pace with his more-fancied, new Williams team-mate.
Still, Albon is looking forward to the challenge and having a fresh mindset at Williams.
“I’ve spent now three years at Williams, and it’s nice to almost have someone a little bit fresher than me,” he said last year.
“And coming from a team like Ferrari, I’m sure [Sainz will] bring a lot to the table.
“Of course, I know he will push me. I think he’s having a very strong year this year as well. But it will be a good challenge.”
READ MORE – Williams backs ‘brilliant’ Alex Albon to match Carlos Sainz in 2025
