Williams has narrowed its choices for Alex Albon's teammate in 2025 to just two candidates, admitted team principal James Vowles.
It's virtually certain that Logan Sargeant will be replaced at the season's end. "We need more from him, really, to be able to save his seat," Vowles conceded in Montreal.
The Formula 1 world arrived in Montreal this week amidst whispers that Carlos Sainz, the departing Ferrari driver, has either already secured a deal or is about to sign with Williams. "The consensus in the paddock is that Sainz will sign with Williams for two years within the next few days," reported veteran F1 journalist Roger Benoit for Blick.
Vowles is clear that Sainz is the preferred choice. "On the list we have two drivers," he stated.
"We have been quite transparent in recognising what the main option is. Now the question is to find a way to convince Carlos, who I think is an incredible driver."
Moreover, Vowles noted that Sainz has "two options" for 2025, with the alternative obviously being Sauber-Audi.
Regarding his own second potential candidate for 2025, Vowles hinted at Esteban Ocon, recently freed for 2025 from Alpine, despite the Frenchman's controversial and growing reputation as not a team player. "I've known Esteban for about ten years now," Vowles shared with Canal Plus. "I've worked with him, and I called him after Monaco."
"In my opinion, the world was very hard on him," he continued, referring to Ocon's collision with teammate Pierre Gasly. "Esteban is very, very fast, but fast at a level that, when he was against (Fernando) Alonso, they were basically identical in qualifying."
"It's significant because it means he deserves his place in Formula 1," Vowles asserted. "It's true that he is often close to his teammate, and there has been contact, there's no doubt about that, but I also reassured him that he is very, very fast. And that's the hardest part to do when you're a driver."
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