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Carlos Sainz Aiming to Adapt to Williams F1 Car Within a Few Races
Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, representing Williams, has indicated that he anticipates needing between five to ten races to fully adjust to his new car while also modifying his driving approach. After a four-year stint with Ferrari, Sainz has teamed up with Alex Albon at Williams, but has faced a challenging start, recently scoring his first point of the season in Shanghai following disqualifications of other competitors.
One significant factor contributing to Sainz’s slow adaptation is the difficulty he has encountered in maximizing the car’s performance over a single lap, resulting in poor qualifying positions relative to Albon, who has already amassed 16 points. Sainz has expressed confidence in his ability to overcome these initial hurdles, acknowledging the need to unlearn habits formed during his time at Ferrari, which differ considerably from the characteristics of the Williams car.
“Driving a Ferrari for several years ingrained a particular style in me, especially since 2022,” Sainz remarked during an interview in Japan. “This can create a reliance on certain techniques that, while effective in some situations, can hinder performance in others. Part of the process now involves exploring new driving strategies and adjusting car setups to better align with my preferences.”
He characterized this transition as potentially the most formidable challenge a driver can face, yet he also expressed enthusiasm about the learning process. “Adapting my approach to corners and fighting my instinctual reactions is a substantial task,” he noted. “However, it’s a challenge I have relished throughout my career.” Sainz’s experience of transitioning between various cars and regulations over the years has provided him with a wealth of insight, though he acknowledged that two races are insufficient to fully grasp his new vehicle’s nuances.
When asked about the timeline for reaching peak performance, Sainz offered a thoughtful perspective. He emphasized that the transition point depends on how drastically the new car diverges from one’s natural driving style, stating, “If you’re aiming for a state of driving where you can perform effortlessly, that could take over a year to achieve.” However, he remains optimistic about reaching a high level of competitiveness much sooner: “If my goal is to perform effectively in F1, I believe I can attain that within half a year, ideally within the next five to ten races as I gain experience on diverse track surfaces and conditions.”
Additional reporting by Erwin Jaeggi
Source
www.autosport.com