Carlos Sainz, fastest time in Bahrain, but not yet comfortable with the Williams FW47

Carlos Sainz created a surprise during pre-season testing in Bahrain by setting the fastest time on the second day. Having moved from Ferrari to Williams over the winter, the Spaniard impressed with 127 laps on the clock. But behind this flattering performance, the 30-year-old driver admits himself that he is still far from exploiting the full potential of his new car. « In terms of driving style, I’m still figuring out what I need to do with this car to go fast because, to be honest, I’m still a bit lost on where to find the lap time », he told F1TV.

A more complicated adaptation than expected

The Spanish driver knows it will take time. Three days of testing are not enough to fully master a new car, especially when you’re up against better-equipped teams. That’s why this run was important for me to understand where the lap time comes from, adds Sainz. Switching from Ferrari to Williams doesn’t happen overnight.

Each team has its own technical approach, its way of setting up the car, exploiting it, and making it progress. For a driver, this means relearning everything, from the sensations in corners to the car’s reactions during braking. « I don’t know if it will come in the entrances, if it will come in the exits », explains Carlos.

If the British team has shown signs of progress in recent seasons, it seems determined not to play a minor role anymore. The goal is clear: to shake up the hierarchy. Recruited for his experience and his ability to develop a single-seater, the Spaniard could become a major asset to lift the team towards the top of the standings if he quickly finds his bearings.

But he still needs to unlock the full potential of the FW47. I feel like when I push, I can reach a decent level, but I still don’t know where the last two tenths of the car are, admits Sainz. A few tenths that could make the difference between P5 and P10 in qualifying. A detail, but a detail that changes everything in F1.

Williams lying in wait

Despite Sainz’s doubts, his performance does not go unnoticed. Andrea Stella, McLaren’s director and former mentor of Sainz, believes in it: « Williams could knock on the door of the top 4 », he declared. An ambitious but not senseless prediction. For Sainz, the key will be to string together races to tame his car. « That’s what I will need to discover over the first five or six races, when I put more soft tires on the car, to try to understand where the lap time is in this car. »

Can Williams cause a surprise in 2025? We’ll find out in the upcoming races.