Carlos Sainz shines in Miami but faces a tough truth, Williams halts 2025 upgrades to gamble fully on its 2026 revolution.
Carlos Sainz says he’s “a bit frustrated” after learning that Williams will no longer develop its 2025 Formula 1 car, despite recent strong performances that hint at untapped potential.
The Spanish driver, now settling into the team after leaving Ferrari, has shown encouraging pace, including outqualifying both Ferraris in Miami. But Williams has made a strategic call to freeze upgrades on this year’s FW47, shifting full focus to the all-new 2026 regulations.
“I really believe this car has a lot of untapped potential,” Sainz said in Miami. “If we could keep developing it, tuning areas I’ve already flagged in the wind tunnel, I’m convinced we could make serious progress.”
His strong pace, just three-tenths off pole in Miami, only adds to the sting of the decision. “It does make me a little angry,” he admitted. “To be this close, in only my sixth race with the team, knowing how much more there is to unlock… I can’t help but wonder how far we could go.”
Team principal James Vowles remains confident in the long-term vision. “We’ve made a deliberate choice to stop development on the current car. All our resources, wind tunnel time, budget, everything, are going into the 2026 project,” he explained.
Still, some updates are on the way. “We’ll bring a few upgrades soon, including a new front wing for the upcoming regulation change in race nine. Beyond that, just minor improvements based on what we’ve learned recently,” Vowles said. “The real leap, though, is for 2026.”
Despite his frustration, Sainz backs the long-term strategy. “I asked James, can we at least do something small for 2025? A bit of CFD, maybe some wind tunnel hours? But I appreciate his clarity. He’s committed to the plan, and I trust that.”
“I joined this team because I believe in the vision. I see clear ambition, clear goals, and that gives me confidence,” Sainz added. “James promised me this year’s car would be better than last year’s, and so far, he’s kept that promise. We’re headed in the right direction.”
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Sainz Frustrated by Williams’ Halt on 2025 Car Development Sainz Frustrated by Williams’ Halt on 2025 Car Development
