30-Year-Old Spanish Driver Has Yet to Deliver for Williams
Carlos Sainz joined Williams Racing in 2024 after learning that he would not be continuing with Scuderia Ferrari. For Williams, the acquisition was hopeful; Sainz would join as an experienced driver with a solid record, helping to improve the team’s record. Despite consistent podium finishes in 2024, it’s been some time since Sainz has had a point finish going into the August break. For Sainz, it’s an adjustment to a new team in a different echelon than the likes of Ferrari and McLaren. For Williams, it’s only a temporary setback.
Things were looking good for Williams in the early season. Alex Albon was consistently finishing in the front of the grid, even reaching the top five on multiple occasions. Sainz, having freshly joined the team, had been able to score alongside Albon, though usually in a lower position. Sitting in fifth place in the Constructor’s Standings, it’s the strongest start Williams has seen in years. It’s only in recent Grand Prix that they’ve been unable to keep up the momentum.
It’s easy to understand that the team is facing some growing pains. Sainz has expressed discomfort with the current car, and the adjustments best for him may be too great for Williams’ engineers to handle so far into the season. Uncomfortability isn’t the only issue with the car, either. At the Austrian Grand Prix, Sainz was unable to start the car for the formation lap. By the time he maneuvered to the pit lane, the car had caught fire, leaving Carlos unable to race. Team Principal James Vowles has acknowledged these issues, believing that the best course of action is to focus on the future.
There’s a great deal of hesitancy felt by every team on the grid. The knowledge of changing regulations for 2026 means that developments are being slowed as engineers prepare for new designs. With McLaren’s grip on the standings looking unshakable, many teams are shifting focus as they lose hope of the championship. For Williams, it could be a golden opportunity. In the new season, each driver will find themselves in the same situation as Sainz, adjusting to new cars and track behaviors. Albon and Sainz alike have shown themselves to be competent drivers, but they’ll need the team to take careful consideration of their feedback to make the car work for them. For this reason, Vowles’ decision to save their resources for the coming changes is the best choice. He believes they can still make a strong show in 2025, but prepares for a major shift in 2026.
