James Vowles says Carlos Sainz could become a successful F1 team principal in the future
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images James Vowles sees a bright future for Carlos Sainz as a team principal, praising the Ferrari driver’s leadership qualities. It’s not unusual for F1 drivers to move into team management roles later in their careers, given how well they understand the day-to-day operations and the inner workings of a racing outfit. While none of today’s team principals reached the top of the sport as drivers, plenty have spent time behind the wheel before moving into leadership.
Sir Jack Brabham stands alone in having achieved success in both roles. During his racing career, he launched his own F1 team and led it to back-to-back constructors’ championships in 1966 and 1967. James Vowles predicts Carlos Sainz’s F1 future Speaking with Diario AS , Vowles highlighted Sainz’s influence within Williams and pointed to the role he plays in shaping the team’s environment at Grove.
“Carlos is an incredible guy; he never dwells on mistakes, he doesn’t attack, and he doesn’t place blame. In my opinion, the true test of a leader isn’t when things are going well, but when they aren’t. It’s in those moments that you learn so much more,” he said.
He went on to suggest that Sainz has the qualities needed for the job, even if such a move is still some way off given where Sainz is in his driving career. “Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, I’d give him my job,” Vowles said. “He’s absolutely fantastic and very good at leading a team.
I think he has all the potential for it, without a doubt. There’s a bit of help we need to give him, but he has the ability to make it happen. ” Sainz himself replied by saying: “I’ve been thinking about it, about whether I’d like a role like that.