Dakar Rally News: Carlos Sainz’s Expertise to Boost Williams’ Off-Road Aspirations

Carlos Sainz, the former race engineer for the Spaniard at McLaren, has provided insights into what Williams can expect from the driver when he joins the team in 2025. Sainz, who has achieved 25 podiums in his Formula 1 career, is set to bring his wealth of experience and technical expertise to the Grove outfit, according to Stallard.

Stallard, who currently serves as race engineer to Oscar Piastri at McLaren, praised Sainz’s passion for the engineering and technical aspects of motorsport, drawing parallels to his father, Carlos Sainz Sr., who is renowned for his success in rally racing.

“Carlos is a brilliant driver to work with,” Stallard explained on the F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast. “He loves the engineering and the technical side of Formula 1, which makes sense given his father’s background in rally.”

Stallard believes that Sainz’s eagerness to engage with the technical department and contribute to the team’s development will be a significant asset for Williams as they strive to improve their off-road performance.

Reflecting on Sainz’s time at McLaren, Stallard highlighted the driver’s positive impact, stating that he “helped McLaren improve a lot” and “set him back on his feet and positioned him correctly as one of the top drivers in Formula 1.” This sentiment suggests that Williams can expect Sainz to have a similar transformative effect on their Dakar Rally program.

Williams boss James Vowles has already expressed his confidence in the team’s driver lineup for 2025, which will see Sainz paired with the incumbent Alex Albon. Stallard’s assessment of Sainz’s abilities and his potential to elevate the team’s technical capabilities lends credence to Vowles’ optimism.

As Sainz prepares to embark on his new chapter with Williams, Dakar Rally enthusiasts can look forward to the Spaniard’s expertise and technical prowess potentially shaping the team’s off-road endeavors in the years to come.

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