Williams boss surprised by signing of 'performance machine' Carlos Sainz

The 29-year-old Spaniard will depart Ferrari at the end of 2024, having signed a two-year contract with the British Formula One team.

Speculation about Sainz's next move had persisted for some time, but it was Williams who secured his services after nine months of negotiations.

When asked if he was surprised to have landed Sainz and that neither Mercedes nor Red Bull had made a stronger push to sign him, team principal Vowles responded: "Yes, absolutely. I consider him one of the top four drivers on the grid, and at times, he ranks as the number two driver.

"Why wouldn‘t any team want him? Especially as competition gets tighter, the difference a driver can make becomes crucial. It's not just about raw performance.

"Look at Carlos' impact on every team he's been part of; they've all seen significant improvement. After talking to him weekly, if not daily, over the last nine months, I understand why. My partner Rachel has been quite puzzled by my relationship with Carlos," Vowles joked.

"But what I've come to realize is that he is a performance machine. He does everything within his power not only to excel individually but also to uplift the entire team around him, which is incredibly powerful."

Sainz, who has previously raced for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, was also rumored to be a potential candidate for Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, and Red Bull, among others.

Vowles acknowledged the difficult choices faced by Williams' competitors.

He added: "Mercedes and Red Bull are not foolish; they make decisions with great care. If Red Bull chose differently, there are reasons behind it that I might not be privy to, given their status as multiple world champions. They don't take decisions lightly.

"But I was surprised."