Carlos Sainz unexpectedly became a key strategist for Williams in Melbourne, helping Alex Albon secure P5 with quick thinking in changing conditions.
Sainz found himself in an unexpected role during the Australian Grand Prix after an early retirement due to tricky track conditions at the start of the race.
Instead of retreating to the Williams hospitality area to watch the rest of the action from a distance, Sainz got actively involved in the team’s garage, playing a key role in strategy decisions as the weather changed. His input helped Alex Albon secure an impressive fifth-place finish.
Ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, Sainz reflected on his experience in Melbourne and responded to praise from Williams team principal James Vowles. He also shared his thoughts on the benefits of having an experienced driver available for mid-race decisions.
“It Can Be a Huge Help”
“I think in many races, having an extra driver analyzing things can be very useful,” Sainz said.
“Especially in a situation like Melbourne, where conditions were changing quickly.”
“Of course, teams rely heavily on data analysis, but having someone with experience making real-time calls can sometimes make a big difference.”
Sainz also pointed out that this isn’t the first time Williams has benefited from such an approach.
“Last year in Brazil, Alex [Albon] stepped out of the car late in the race and was able to help Franco [Colapinto] improve. That just goes to show how valuable an experienced driver can be for a team.”
“I Was Running Around Yelling ‘Box, Box, Box’”
When asked about Albon’s switch back to intermediate tires during the final downpour in Melbourne, Sainz admitted he wasn’t using an intercom or making official calls—he was simply acting on instinct.
“I wasn’t on a radio channel because I don’t know how things work at Williams yet,” he explained.
“But if you saw me, I was literally running from one place to another, trying to convince everyone that as soon as the rain hit, they needed to pit Alex. The moment the McLarens slid off the track, I had no headset, nothing—I just shouted, ‘Box, box, box!’ That was the moment. It was fun.”
Despite the excitement, Sainz admitted that the experience was nerve-wracking.
“I told JV [Vowles] after the race that I was actually more nervous than when I’m in the car. I felt responsible for that call. If I had gotten it wrong, I would’ve been in trouble—on my first weekend with the team! It was really stressful, but at the same time, I had a lot of fun helping out.”
Sainz’s hands-on approach in Melbourne may have been unexpected, but it proved that sometimes, having a driver’s instinct can be just as valuable as any data model.
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Sainz’s Surprise Role: Williams’ Secret Weapon Sainz’s Surprise Role: Williams’ Secret Weapon
