Carlos Sainz reveals adapting to a new power unit is the hardest part of switching teams, calling it the biggest challenge in F1.
Carlos Sainz revealed that the biggest change after his move from Ferrari to Williams has nothing to do with the team itself but with his power unit.
The Spaniard shares the same view as Lewis Hamilton, who also had to adapt to a new engine—often meaning different procedures and buttons on the steering wheel, not to mention variations in energy recovery and deployment.
“I agree with Lewis. When you change teams, as soon as there’s a power unit change, the power unit is the most sensitive aspect for the driver. The noises, the vibrations, the sound—everything changes completely.”
“So even if I wanted to leave the pits focusing on understanding the aerodynamics, the tires, and the mechanical feel of the car, the only thing I had to adapt to in the first few laps was how different one power unit can be from another.”
“The power unit is probably the biggest change, along with how it operates in terms of buttons, mode changes, and multi-position switches to manage.”
“Especially in today’s Formula 1, with so much happening on our steering wheels and with battery deployment—things like procedures, engine safety protocols—it’s a real headache to make everything second nature.”
“It’s undoubtedly the biggest adjustment I’ve had to make so far at Williams.”
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New Engine, New Challenge: Sainz’s Biggest F1 Shift New Engine, New Challenge: Sainz’s Biggest F1 Shift
