Sainz Rules Out Podiums or Top 5 in 2025 Campaign

Sainz Sets Low Expectations Points Must Be the Target

Carlos Sainz downplays his 2025 chances, insisting podiums and top-five finishes are out of reach as he focuses solely on scoring points.

Carlos Sainz insisted he won’t even be in the top five at the end of the Australian Grand Prix, which will open the season in mid-March.

After the only three days of official winter testing in Bahrain last week, the former Ferrari driver topped the combined overall standings at the wheel of his 2025 Williams.

But Sainz refused to confirm at the time whether he had run on low fuel or with a certain amount of fuel when he set his lap time.

“And I’m still not telling you today. Because I don’t think we can draw conclusions from the times. We know that with these cars, we can be five seconds slower or faster depending on fuel load and engine mapping.”

“So we don’t know exactly where we stand, but at least it seems the car has responded well and that it’s a step forward compared to last year.”

Pressed to say more about his fastest lap, he said: “At the very least, it shows people that I’m here to push hard.”

However, he admits his car’s setup is still not ideal.

“In the end, I don’t have the time in a day and a half, or for me, in a day and a quarter, to try half the things I wanted to test. I still have a lot of doubts about the setup choices.”

“But that’s how it is, you have to go into the first races without knowing where the last two tenths of the car are.”

When asked about his target for Melbourne, the Spaniard replied: “Points. I think points should be our goal at the start of the season.”

“I already said it at the car launch. I think anything else would be asking too much. The car has strengths, I’m sure it has strengths, and then it has weaknesses, but that’s like any other car I’ve driven in the past.”

“I’m sure there were positive surprises, and there were negative ones too, as always. But it’s impossible to adapt in such a short time. It still seems ridiculous to me that we only have a day and a half of testing.”

“But last year, if you look at the midfield, we weren’t that far off—a Haas, a Williams—in some qualifying sessions, we were quite close at certain moments. My contribution is more in race pace because that’s when the gap really opens, degradation is higher, and that’s where I think I can bring a little more and help the team try to improve.”

“But I’m sure you won’t see me on the podium or in the top five this year, so don’t get too excited. But at least know that I didn’t come to Williams to pass the time or let the years go by.”