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Carlos Sainz Eyes Adaptation with Williams in Formula 1

Carlos Sainz, the driver for Williams Racing, is anticipating a period of adjustment to his new Formula 1 car, estimating he will need “five to 10” races to fully adapt while modifying his driving style. The veteran driver, who transitioned to Williams after a four-year stint at Ferrari, faced a learning curve during his initial races in Australia and China. Despite the challenges, he secured his first point of the season in Shanghai due to disqualifications of other competitors.

A significant part of Sainz’s struggle stems from his performance compared to teammate Alex Albon, who has already amassed 16 points. Sainz has found it difficult to optimize the Williams car, particularly in qualifying, which has left him starting well behind Albon.

Understanding the importance of adaptation, Sainz shared that he is not overly concerned about his slower integration into the new car. He acknowledged that unlearning established habits from his time at Ferrari has been crucial, as his previous experience necessitated a different approach to driving. “I got used to a specific way of driving with Ferrari, especially since 2022, and that muscle memory can affect how I handle the new car,” he stated, emphasizing the need to find his own rhythm within the Williams framework.

“You develop driving habits that may work for one car but not necessarily for another. I need to explore different techniques and setups to determine what best suits this vehicle,” Sainz explained. As he experiments with adjustments in his driving and car configuration, he remains determined to identify the optimal setup for better performance.

Describing this transition as “the biggest challenge” a driver could face, Sainz expressed a sense of excitement. “Learning to approach corners differently is fundamentally challenging, especially under the pressure of qualifying. It requires significant mental effort and time, but it is a challenge I’ve enjoyed throughout my career,” he added.

When asked about how long it might take him to reach peak performance, Sainz offered a reflective perspective. He believes the time frame hinges on how drastically different the Williams is from his natural driving style. “If you aim for a level where you can instinctively perform well, reaching that might take over a year. However, to perform at a high level in Formula 1, which is my goal, I believe I can achieve it within five to 10 races,” he remarked, alluding to the importance of adapting to various tracks and their individual characteristics.

Additional reporting by Erwin Jaeggi

Photos from Japanese GP – Thursday

In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Carlos Sainz

Williams

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