Carlos Sainz: “If I can’t join a top team, I’ll build one”

In an interview with Motorsport Italy, Carlos Sainz spoke about his first steps and adaptation within his new team, Williams. A transfer that has piqued the curiosity of many observers, as several major teams, such as Mercedes or Red Bull, were looking for a new driver.

However, neither of the two retained him, and the Spaniard preferred to turn to Williams, a historically significant team, but one that has faced difficulties in recent seasons, as evidenced by its ninth and penultimate place in the constructors’ standings last year, with only 17 points scored.

A driver now well-integrated into his new team

When asked about this issue, the Spaniard simply emphasized: “People in F1 know perfectly well why certain choices are made. I don’t need to explain it in front of a microphone.” The former McLaren driver now prefers to focus on the track, where he faces a new challenge this year: bringing Williams back among the top teams.

Even if the task seems delicate, Sainz is convinced he can achieve it, as he did with McLaren, and even Ferrari. At Williams, I saw the potential to write a beautiful story. I had a long discussion with James [Vowles] about the project he had in mind, and I decided to bet on Williams because it seemed to me to be the best opportunity to build a top team, he said.

A decision certainly criticized by some detractors, but one he does not regret today, especially since he feels increasingly comfortable within the British team and claims to be integrated into a family. Six months after the start of this adventure, I can say that I am even more convinced than I was when I signed. We are all working 100% to achieve this goal.

« On a personal level, things are much better. I am now in a team with a long-term project that truly motivates me. I feel like I am part of a family—and that’s not to say I didn’t feel good at Ferrari, I want to clarify that—but last year, the situation was different because I spent the whole season knowing I would leave. It was a strange year, but overall, I think we did a good job as a team », he explains.

For Sainz, the goal is to build a solid long-term project.

Despite some optimism, Sainz does not expect to be contending for victories as early as next season. Even though Williams has regained some form this year, the team is still far from the leaders, and Sainz is aware that he will have to wait a few more years before competing against the best.

Nevertheless, he approaches the future with serenity: « In the first races, we made a good step forward, but what gives me the most confidence is that once I was able to start adjusting the settings with the engineers, we made another step. I like being able to contribute to the direction we are taking. »

« I don’t think we will be ready next year. It would be fantastic to take another step forward, as it would mean being with the leading teams – but my experience at Ferrari has also taught me that there is a difference between being part of the leading group… and actually beating the leaders. »

Williams: a team on the rise

After a period of adaptation, Carlos Sainz seems to have found his rhythm at Williams. He has reiterated his goal of becoming world champion, a title he hopes to achieve with the British team. Patience will be necessary, as his former team, McLaren, currently appears to have an edge over all the others. But with the new regulations expected in 2026, the hierarchy could be completely disrupted.

The opportunity for him, twenty years after Fernando Alonso, to lead Spain to the top of Formula 1.