Herbert: Sainz's 'Under the Radar' Talent Belies Title-Winning Potential

Former FIA steward Johnny Herbert has labeled Carlos Sainz a potential world champion, arguing the Spaniard's "under the radar" professionalism and strong work ethic could deliver a title given the right machinery. Herbert drew a contrast with Max Verstappen, suggesting Sainz's quieter, methodical approach is just as effective. This follows a strong second half of the 2024 season for Sainz at Williams, where he secured two podiums and demonstrated his race-winning pedigree.

Why it matters:

Sainz is currently in a transition phase at Williams, a team hoping for a major resurgence in 2025. Herbert's comments validate Sainz's status as a top-tier driver, reinforcing the narrative that he could be a key asset for any team chasing a championship. It also adds a layer of intrigue to the 2025 driver market silly season and Williams' potential to climb the grid.

The Details:

• Verstappen Comparison: Herbert stated Sainz is "not as verbal a driver or as in-your-face as Max," but "just gets on with the job, very much like his father," highlighting a strong work ethic that benefits a team.
• Title-Winning Car: Herbert was emphatic that Sainz could challenge for the championship in a competitive car, specifically noting, "if you stuck him in a McLaren, he would have been going for the World Championship."
• 2024 Season Trajectory: After a difficult start adapting to the Williams, Sainz found his form in the second half of the season, scoring two podiums and building momentum for 2025.
• Williams' 2025 Hope: The team is optimistic that a rumored significant power unit advantage from Mercedes for the 2025 season could propel them up the grid, potentially giving Sainz the competitive car he needs.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Williams during pre-season testing to see if the rumored Mercedes power unit advantage translates to on-track performance. If the car is competitive, Sainz will be in a prime position to prove Herbert right and challenge for regular podiums, potentially shaking up the established order at the front of the grid. His performance could be a major factor in defining Williams' 2025 campaign.