Sainz Targets Strong Showings - Not Wins

Carlos Sainz sets sights on strong performances with Williams, prioritizing consistency over race wins in 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Carlos Sainz is confident he won’t struggle to adapt to life in the lower half of the grid. The Ferrari driver, who will join Williams F1 for 2025 and 2026, points out that he’s spent more time in this situation than fighting at the front in Formula 1.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been in Formula 1 for 10 years, and for eight of those, I wasn’t fighting for wins. Only for two or three years have I been in contention for victories,” Sainz said.

“So, I’ve spent more time not fighting for wins than actually competing for them. For me, Formula 1 is about getting the most out of the car. The result doesn’t solely depend on the athlete or the driver, but also on the machine you’re driving.”

“I want to feel heard, and I want to feel that I can contribute. Especially with a historic team like Williams, which has a clear vision and is committed to bringing the team back to the front with strong investment partners.”

“That’s something important to me, and I know the results in 2025 may not be wins or podiums, but I still believe we can do a good job.”

Sainz acknowledges it was difficult to think about his future while his season was ongoing and appreciated being able to secure his future: “It’s not easy to race at a high level as a Ferrari driver while also having to make such a significant decision about your future.”

“It took up a lot of space in my mind. I think I’ve always been open and honest. I didn’t struggle—my results showed that—but it definitely drained my energy, especially mentally.”

“I remember starting the summer break, and once I made the decision, there was a bit of relief. I thought, now I need to disconnect, recharge, and come back for the next 10 races with the sole focus of delivering 10 excellent performances for Ferrari.”