Carlos Sainz on Williams’ 2026 Struggles: “I’m Disgusted and Worried”

Carlos Sainz pulled into parc fermé at Silverstone having crossed the line 12th, more than four seconds behind race winner Charles Leclerc, with his teammate Alexander Albon not even making the finish. It was not a good Sunday. What followed in the media pen was worse.

Speaking to reporters after the British Grand Prix, Sainz didn’t reach for diplomatic language.

“Patience doesn’t run out, but I’m disgusted and worried,” he said via Marca. “Honestly, I’m worried. It’s the first time I’ve clearly seen that the car isn’t being developed.

“Each time it’s getting closer to the weight… and the gap is increasing. There’s no aerodynamic improvement and it’s starting to worry us.

“I’m going to the factory, I’m going to the simulator, and I’m going to have meetings with the team. We’ll keep working to improve the situation, even though it’s clear we’re carrying this bad situation with us.”

The Weight Problem Isn’t Going Away

The weight problem plaguing the FW48 has persisted as a serious concern from the very start of the season.

His 2025 campaign – two podiums – now almost feels like it came in a different era – which I suppose it was. Three ninth-place finishes in China, Miami, and Canada represent the entirety of his 2026 points haul.

Williams boss James Vowles has confirmed a steady drip of updates through Spa, Budapest, and Zandvoort, with what he describes as effectively a new car targeting Baku in September. Whether that lands differently to the Silverstone front wing remains to be seen.

Speculation has been circulating throughout the paddock regarding potential performance-based clauses and exit provisions within Sainz’s deal, which runs through the end of the 2026 season. For now, Sainz claims his priority is the job in front of him: “I’ve also told my team to leave me a bit on my own until the summer break, just to try and help Williams and improve the situation as much as possible. And then in the summer break, it will be obviously time to think about it, look at the options.”