Sky F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz reported that Williams team principal James Vowles declined an interview request during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, primarily due to the ongoing FIA investigation concerning Williams driver Carlos Sainz. Vowles felt it was inappropriate to discuss the situation while Sainz’s P3 starting position was still under scrutiny, a decision that left Kravitz somewhat skeptical.
As Sainz awaited confirmation of his position after a tense qualifying session, in which the rain created a slippery track that improved throughout the laps, he ultimately secured a remarkable third on the grid. The stewards concluded that no further action was necessary following an investigation of a near-miss incident involving Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll during Q1, much to the relief of both Sainz and Vowles.
During his segment on ‘Ted’s Notebook,’ Kravitz shared Vowles’ reasoning, stating: “James Vowles declined to be interviewed for our programme, saying, ‘I don’t want to be interviewed when we could have the third taken away.’ He could have opted to acknowledge the ongoing investigation, but chose not to engage at that moment.”
Despite the rain and challenging conditions, Sainz managed to put his Williams FW47 in a strong position starting third, directly behind polesitter Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Reflecting on his qualifying performance, Sainz expressed satisfaction, admitting that he initially believed he had secured pole position after completing his lap. He highlighted a preference for the extreme wet tires that provided him with confidence and speed throughout Q1 and Q2.
Sainz acknowledged the potential limitations of his car in dry conditions, estimating that his competitive range might fall between P5 and P8 without the advantage of wet weather. However, he noted that the wet conditions allowed Williams to showcase its performance more effectively, adding an optimistic tone to his experience thus far in Las Vegas.
As the weekend progresses, fans are left hopeful for an exciting race ahead, especially with the unexpected twist of wet conditions facilitating a stronger showing for Williams and Sainz.