Carlos Sainz has expressed significant concern regarding Williams’s Formula 1 team, fearing a regression in performance during the 2026 season. His apprehension intensified following the British Grand Prix, where recent upgrades failed to deliver expected lap time improvements.
Williams commenced the 2026 campaign with the FW48 car delivered late and notably overweight, missing its pre-season shakedown. The car was reportedly up to 28kg over the minimum weight limit, a factor that severely penalises acceleration, braking, and cornering speed.
Despite efforts to shed weight and introduce performance updates, Sainz believes the gap to both the front-running teams and the midfield leader is widening. He noted that the team does not appear to be finding the lap time anticipated during the winter development period.
At Silverstone, Williams debuted a new front wing, originally slated for Spa. Sainz acknowledged it provided a ‘small step’ forward, helping to outqualify Haas, but it was not the significant uplift expected from wind tunnel and simulator data.
‘Concerning, frustrating because it starts to be a bad trend this year that we don’t seem to really find a lot of laptime when the upgrades are coming,’ Sainz stated. ‘We need to have a good sit-down now this week and analyse what’s happening because unfortunately, we’ve shed a lot of weight out of the car by now. But the gap to the front keeps increasing and the gap to the leader of the midfield keeps increasing.’
The team’s performance metrics show a fluctuating trend. Williams started the season over 3% off the pace in Melbourne, improved to 1.984% in Miami with a substantial upgrade package, but then dropped to 3.235% off the pace in Austria.
Williams currently occupies eighth position in the Constructors’ standings with 11 points, ahead of Audi, Aston Martin, and Cadillac. Sainz has not scored points in the last four races, while Alex Albon last secured points in Monaco.
Team Principal James Vowles has outlined plans for a significant ‘B-spec’ car, scheduled to debut at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in late September. This revision will include a redesigned chassis and other components, aiming to address aerodynamic deficits and handling issues.
However, Sainz remains unconvinced that the Baku package will provide a breakthrough, questioning why it should succeed if previous upgrades have not. He believes the team must first understand why current developments are not translating into on-track performance.
Vowles has attributed some of the development challenges to the cost cap, which restricts the immediate production of lighter parts. He also highlighted Williams’s internal systems, noting that outdated processes and a lack of historical data hinder efficient car development compared to established top teams.
The team principal confirmed that the engineering work to bring the car below the weight limit is complete, but the production timeline is constrained. He maintains that the changes implemented due to the 2026 car build crisis will ultimately benefit Williams’s future development.
The upcoming ‘B-spec’ car in Baku represents a critical test for Williams’s recovery and will be pivotal in demonstrating to Sainz that the project aligns with his career ambitions. Vowles and Sainz reportedly maintain frequent communication regarding the team’s direction.
