Vowles on Sainz's success in FP1

In the press conference after the first practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, the Williams team principal was asked about Carlos Sainz's results. Sainz is entering his first season with Williams after moving from Ferrari, a move the Vowels is very happy with.

Sainz was impressively fast during the first practice session, finishing just one and a half tenths (and in second place) behind the fastest man in the field: Lando Norris. "First of all, he's been to a number of organisations who understands different elements, and he's been across a number of drivers that we would all consider World Championship material, and that's made him into the driver he is today," Vowles told the press conference on Friday in Melbourne.

"His ability to communicate what's going on in the car is fantastic. His ability to understand what's going on on the team around him, how to bring them forward, what excellence looks like, what winning looks like, and how to effectively elevate our state from where we are is his strength," he continued.

"It's part of the reason why I wanted to make sure he was with us this year and beyond in terms of what he's able to do. He's clearly quick in the car. We knew that before, but I've been really impressed and surprised with just his ability to interact with, be it the aero team or engineers and bring them on the journey that we're on as well." Vowles concluded.

Sainz won the Australian Grand Prix after only missing one race from his major surgery. Sainz had his appendix removed and had to sit out the previous race, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

This article was written in collaboration with Esteban den Toom.

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