Bottas: When the contract with Williams was ready, Sainz appeared.
Valtteri Bottas admitted that Carlos Sainz prevented him from returning to Formula 1 as a Williams driver in 2025 — Sainz ultimately became Alex Albon’s teammate — and everything that followed shows James Vowles made the right choice.
Last season Sauber did not renew the Finnish driver’s contract, so he returned to Mercedes, where he serves as a reserve driver. But back in 2013 Bottas’s career began at Williams, so it was no surprise that in 2024 he was negotiating with that team, especially since he knows James Vowles well from working together at Mercedes.
Things were already heading towards signing a contract, but then the situation changed…
“I enjoyed working with James Vowles, and I was really close to signing a contract with Williams for this year,” Bottas told Motorsport Week. “But when we already had the contract text ready, Carlos Sainz appeared. That’s Formula 1.
“However, I think this team is definitely on the right track, because Williams is clearly progressing. Results can vary from weekend to weekend, but if you look at the level the team was at just a few years ago, you have to admit they’re doing a great job.
“I suppose that’s also due to the fact that Williams is now backed by a strong investment group (Dorilton Capital), and that the team is led by James Vowles, who effectively applies his vast knowledge gained from years at Mercedes, and he’s getting results.”
With five rounds remaining in the season, Williams is fifth in the Constructors’ Championship — the last time it was at that level was in 2017, when it was represented by Lance Stroll, then just debuting in the world championship, and Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa, for whom that season was his last.
As for Valtteri Bottas, he probably didn’t lose out by missing the 2025 season — instead he had a proper rest while continuing to maintain excellent physical condition and keeping ties with the paddock, which allowed him to sign a contract with Cadillac F1. So the Finn will return to the championship next year and will race for a new team where his teammate will be the no less experienced Sergio Pérez.
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