Formula 1 Legends Join the Greats: Sainz Set to Race for Williams in 2025
If we were to ask what Jacky Ickx, Alain Prost, and Nigel Mansell have in common, the answer may not be obvious to everyone. Sure, they’re all Formula 1 legends – though Ickx wrote the most glorious chapters of his career at the iconic Le Mans race – but they’re also the only three drivers who have raced for the legendary trifecta of Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams at some point in their careers. Now, Carlos Sainz is set to join this exclusive club in 2025.
With a combined 34 drivers’ titles and 33 constructors’ crowns between them, these squads enjoy a historic aura in the world of Formula 1. Red Bull and Mercedes, though formidable in their own right, cannot necessarily claim the same level of pedigree, having only emerged in the 2000s. In contrast, McLaren has been around since the 1960s, Williams since the 1970s, and the iconic Ferrari has been ever-present since the inaugural F1 season.
“While Ickx’s association with these top teams was more fleeting, Prost and Mansell’s journeys through the Big Three were far more intertwined. Both spent nearly a decade at McLaren and Williams, with their intense title rivalry in 1986 adding to the lore. The two then found themselves as teammates at Ferrari in 1990, with Prost outperforming Mansell.”
Now, Sainz is set to complete this trifecta, but his record with these top squads pales in comparison to his predecessors. Prost and Mansell amassed an impressive 73 victories from 281 race starts, while Sainz can only boast three wins from 115 starts. However, the Spaniard’s move to Williams in 2025 presents an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the sport.
Sainz’s Winding Path to the Top
Sainz’s path to this point has been a winding one. As a Red Bull junior and Formula Renault 3.5 champion, he made his Formula 1 debut alongside generational talent Max Verstappen in 2015, but found his path to the senior Red Bull team blocked. A shrewd move to Renault followed, but he struggled to match teammate Nico Hulkenberg. A lifeline came in the form of a switch to McLaren, where Sainz played a pivotal role in the team’s resurgence, leading them to third in the 2020 constructors’ championship.
This impressive performance earned Sainz a seat at the legendary Ferrari squad, where he has shown his mettle against the formidable Charles Leclerc. While not quite matching Leclerc’s raw pace, Sainz has proven to be a more consistent driver, making fewer mistakes and suffering fewer technical failures.
Joining the Pantheon of F1 Legends
Now, at the age of 30, Sainz has the opportunity to write his own chapter in Formula 1 history by joining the illustrious Williams team. Under the leadership of James Vowles, the Grove-based outfit is undergoing a significant restructuring, and Sainz’s pedigree and experience make him the logical choice to spearhead their return to the front of the grid.
The Spaniard may never become a world champion like Prost and Mansell, but his move to Williams in 2025 will be a key subplot to the season, as he aims to bring the team back to its former glory and join the pantheon of F1 legends who have raced for the sport’s most iconic outfits.
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