Carlos Sainz has acknowledged that Williams remains unlikely to challenge for points at the United States Grand Prix, despite improvements introduced to the FW48 since Azerbaijan. While a lighter chassis has delivered some progress in qualifying, the Spanish driver admits the car still lacks the performance needed to compete consistently in the top ten.
With six Grands Prix remaining in the 2026 season, Williams is pursuing a significant internal transformation, using the closing stages of the championship to overhaul its working methods and prepare for 2027.
Sainz Relishes Austin Return Despite Williams’ Limitations
Sainz returns to one of his favourite circuits on the Formula 1 calendar this weekend. The Williams driver has an impressive record at the Circuit of the Americas, including a podium finish in last year’s Sprint race with the British team.
However, circumstances are considerably different this season. Despite upgrades introduced to the FW48 since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Williams continues to struggle with a performance deficit that severely restricts its ambitions.
“I think it’s definitely one of my favourite circuits, one of those where I’ve always felt comfortable behind the wheel,” Sainz explained.
“I always say that, of all the new-generation circuits, COTA is by far the most exciting one that has been designed, in my opinion, and the most distinctive. I think many circuits could take inspiration from it, with its layout that encourages overtaking, its elevation changes and that roller-coaster feeling.”
The Spaniard particularly appreciates how Austin has retained characteristics traditionally associated with older circuits despite its relatively modern design.
“I think we normally tend to enjoy the good old-fashioned circuits, but Austin, even though it isn’t a historic circuit, feels like one. And I think that’s why so many drivers like it and enjoy driving there.”
“On top of that, it produces some great racing. So yes, I’m not expecting a podium this year, but I’ll certainly try to enjoy this fantastic circuit anyway.”
Williams’ Qualifying Gains Fail to Translate Into Race Results
Although Sainz remains enthusiastic about returning to Austin, his assessment of Williams’ current competitiveness is considerably less encouraging.
Asked whether the upgraded FW48, introduced in Baku, had become competitive enough to fight regularly for points, the Spaniard offered a straightforward response.
“No, it hasn’t. It’s a car that allows you to reach Q2 with a very good lap in Q1 and then start from that position. And if others make mistakes and get things completely wrong, then maybe you can score a point, as we did in Baku.”
“But the reality is that our current position doesn’t allow us to score points.”
Williams has nevertheless made measurable progress since introducing a lighter chassis at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The modification has improved the car’s single-lap performance, helping the team reach Q2 at each of the past three Grands Prix.
However, those qualifying improvements have not resolved the limitations that become apparent over a full race distance.
“The lighter chassis worked and gave us the opportunity to reach Q2 three times in a row since Baku,” Sainz said.
“But as soon as the race settles down and everyone finds their rhythm, at the moment, in a normal race, it’s very difficult to finish higher than 15th or 14th.”
Williams Embraces Major Changes Ahead of 2027
With six Grands Prix left in the championship, Williams is no longer concentrating exclusively on improving its immediate results.
The Grove-based team has embarked on a substantial reorganisation of its working methods, aiming to establish stronger foundations for the 2027 season.
According to Sainz, the transformation involves using the final nine races of 2026 to implement changes that teams would normally postpone until the break between seasons.
“Yes, I think that’s exactly it. We’re going through considerable changes within the team, and we’re using these last nine races of the year to challenge ourselves to change things in the middle of a Formula 1 season, when normally you would wait until the break to make these kinds of changes.”
“But now the team has taken this direction, with a very clear intention from management: even though we’re in the middle of the season, we have to change everything, change everything that needs changing.”
Short-Term Sacrifices to Prepare for Next Season
Sainz admits that the restructuring process can be uncomfortable for a driver, particularly when changes are implemented during a race weekend.
The team’s focus on long-term transformation can conflict with the usual objective of maximising every session and extracting every possible tenth of a second from the car.
“It’s quite uncomfortable because we’re changing things that, even in the middle of a Formula 1 weekend, make you feel like you’re leaving lap time on the table or doing too much.”
“But we’re doing this with the aim or intention of sorting these things out with a car that we know makes it very difficult to score points, and making sure that we’re immediately up and running next year.”
Williams is therefore accepting potential short-term performance compromises as it continues its internal changes, with the objective of being better prepared for the start of the 2027 season.
