Carlos Sainz has issued a direct assessment of Williams’ 2026 Formula 1 car, indicating the team has ‘failed’ with its current challenger. The Spaniard’s comments follow a challenging start to the season for the Grove-based outfit.
Sainz admitted at the recent Belgian Grand Prix that he finds it difficult to envision Williams escaping their current performance struggles this year. He stated the car is ‘not up to scratch’ and requires significant improvement.
The 31-year-old driver used the Spanish phrase ‘Hay que espabilar,’ which translates to a call for Williams to ‘wake up and get moving.’ He highlighted that rivals like Alpine, Audi, and Racing Bulls are notably faster.
Sainz joined Williams for the 2025 season on a two-year agreement, with options to extend his tenure beyond 2026. His move followed Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari.
His inaugural 2025 season with Williams proved successful, yielding two podium finishes in Baku and Qatar. This performance contributed to Williams securing a strong fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, the current 2026 campaign has seen Williams struggle with an overweight and uncompetitive car. This has resulted in a slower start to the year than the team had anticipated.
Williams has not scored points in its last three race weekends, with Sainz himself failing to register points in his most recent four outings. The upgrade package introduced at the British Grand Prix did not deliver expected improvements.
Despite the current difficulties, Sainz has publicly reiterated his commitment to the Williams project. He expressed a desire to help the team overcome its present challenges and achieve its long-term goals.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles maintains ‘zero doubt’ about retaining his current driver lineup. Vowles believes the team can demonstrate a clear path to performance improvement for Sainz.
Vowles also noted that upcoming aerodynamic rule revisions for the 2027 season could present Williams with a more favorable opportunity to advance.
Sainz is expected to make a decision regarding his future beyond the 2026 season, likely during the upcoming summer break. He remains a key figure in the 2027 driver market.
Audi is frequently cited as a potential destination for Sainz, a team he reportedly considered before joining Williams. Mattia Binotto, Sainz’s former Ferrari team principal, now leads Audi F1.
Speculation also links Sainz to Aston Martin if Fernando Alonso departs. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has been rumored as a possible replacement for Sainz at Williams for the 2027 season.
