Arm Touch, Handshake And Intense Eye Contact,,, Too Much Too Handle

that's carlos 'men expert' sainz for you

carlossainz55 Cannes, it’s been a pleasure 💫

F1 Contract Negotiations: The Ultimate Guide to the 2024 Williams Contract Negotiations Saga

If you've ever asked yourself "what really happened during Carlos' contract negotiations?" and "how much do we really know about it?" - this is for you!

I compiled all the relevant quotes and bites from the assorted podcasts, interviews and press conferences, made a handy timeline, and presented it oh-so nicely. Now, all the information about the "secret meetings" in "various hotel locations" can be found in one place! Enjoy💙

Chosen sources: Full list in the last slide!

How Sainz Will Turbocharge Williams - with James Vowles | F1 Nation Podcast (5 August 2024), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zodLL9POfeE.

EXCLUSIVE: Late nights, secret meetings and colossal contracts – James Vowles on how he signed Sainz (29 July 2024),  https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/exclusive-late-nights-secret-meetings-and-colossal-contracts-james-vowles-on.2KTdZFiYOsMCIRT6GdRlLA.

‘He's an incredible driver’ – Vowles says Sainz is top of Williams shortlist for 2025 (7 June 2024), https://www.formula1.com/en/video/hes-an-incredible-driver-vowles-says-sainz-is-top-of-williams-shortlist-for-2025.1801235335357520279.

Sainz poised to announce F1 deal with Williams in Barcelona (June 2024), https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/06/20/sainz-poised-to-announce-f1-deal-with-williams-in-barcelona/.

Vowles has his ‘heart set’ on signing Sainz as he says ‘odds are in my favour’ for Williams to secure him (29 July 2024),  https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/vowles-has-his-heart-set-on-signing-sainz-as-he-says-odds-are-in-my-favour.6tOC9hN3OfIO24JLvY8JMm.

Vowles describes 'emotional reaction' from Williams team to Sainz signing as 'largest I've ever seen' (8 August 2024),  https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/vowles-describes-emotional-reaction-from-williams-team-to-sainz-signing-as.3THrWsaiypWlASRFJhkztP.

Sainz believes Williams can make an F1 performance leap akin to McLaren with their “very strong project” (August 2024), https://www.pitdebrief.com/post/sainz-believes-williams-can-make-an-f1-performance-leap-akin-to-mclaren-with-their-very-strong-project/.

James Vowles: On The Right Track With Albon + Sainz | F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast (2 October 2024), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyUNzNETuk.

Carlos Sainz: Pain, Pride + Potential | F1 Beyond The Grid Podcast (4 December 2024), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26PsKeH_ytA.

Carlos Sainz’s First Day at HQ! | No Place Like Grove (4 February 2025), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzJjy24Ix1M.

Idk why but this reminds me of that video from Vegas (I think?) where he says that one of the things he likes about Charles is that he “just doesn’t care”. Idk if there’s a connection there but I’m connecting the dots anyway

Carlos & Alex giving each other thumbs up 😭😭😭😭😭🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

So based on both radios, I’m guessing Gaetan heard JU say “maintain a gap [ ] to car in front” (said car in front being Carlos) and reported it as being told not to stay behind (which is a reasonable assumption but not the exact same thing). But because of the slipstream, Alex has a passing opportunity that would achieve the same result (gap in front), so JU allowed it, but Gaetan didn’t have time to react.

Fining a driver for being late to a National Anthem an eye watering amount (20x the maximum fine for breaching the pit lane speed limit) is already quite something, but when you take into account that:

Said driver was late due to a medical issue personally attested to by an official Med-Ex doctor;

Who found the medical issue serious enough to require prescription medication to treat symptoms; and

Said driver is the new director of the GPDA (an association that specifically exists to promote the safety of Grand Prix drivers) -

- we have reached a level of irony so comedic one would be forgiven for thinking this would happen in a fanfiction rather than reality.

Yet the FIA have once again surpassed all expectations.

little bambi roaming around 🦌

Carlos via Rebecca | 29 March 2025

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