Norris backs Sainz to return Williams to the top

Lando Norris believes former McLaren team-mate Carlos Sainz will be back fighting at the front of the Formula One grid in the near future.

Sainz saw his time with Ferrari come to an end last season after it was announced he would be replaced by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton ahead of the 2025 campaign.

During his time with the Scuderia, the Spaniard won four races, two of which came last season, along with securing 25 podium finishes.

It was confirmed in July that Sainz would link up with Alex Albon at Williams for the 2025 season, a move that surprised many within the sport but showed the ambition of the British-based team.

Norris, however, was left in no doubt that the Spaniard would help his new squad progress back to the front of the grid.

"Carlos is someone I know well, and I've started racing in Formula 1 with Carlos," Norris said.

"You always knew he was going to be there, and he was always going to put up a good fight. He'll be back. Williams have been improving a lot.

"They've not had someone with a lot of genuine experience from a top team. Carlos will for sure add to that and propel the team forwards even more."

BREAKING: Carlos Sainz to join Williams Racing from 2025 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3O3ROhrEES

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 29, 2024

Sainz had been tipped for a potential seat at Red Bull amid uncertainty around Sergio Perez's future, which has since seen the Mexican replaced by Liam Lawson.

Though that didn't transpire, it's Sainz's work ethic, in addition to his on-track performances, that, for Norris, means he deserves to be fighting at the front of the field.

"2026 is a year when anything can happen," Norris said, alluding to the upcoming regulations changes coming into play then.

"Williams can be at the top all of a sudden. So, we'll wait and see.

"But it's a shame because I think he [Sainz] has proven himself enough in Formula 1 that he deserves a good seat.

"He deserves to fight for championships and wins, and those types of things, and it's a shame when that opportunity is lost.

"But it's not because he's not got talent, or he's not got the ability, right? It's because it's the biggest name in Formula 1 who wants his seat [at Ferrari].

"And yeah, we'll see in the future what it takes – we’ll see how Lewis does in Ferrari with Charles and against Charles.

"But [Carlos] has proven himself enough, so I don't think anyone needs to doubt him. And I'm sure his time will come back again, and he'll help Williams fight back to the top."

The first race of the 2025 takes place on March 16 at the Australian Grand Prix, a track that Sainz won at with Ferrari at the start of last season.