The anticipation surrounding the 2026 Formula 1 season is building as teams prepare for the first race in Australia this weekend. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams, has expressed his view that only two drivers stand a genuine chance of claiming the Drivers’ Championship amid new regulations and evolving team dynamics.
Williams completed a commendable 2025, finishing fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, although early signs from pre-season testing this year have been less encouraging for Sainz and teammate Alex Albon. Nonetheless, Sainz urged fans and analysts to remain patient, emphasizing that testing results only reveal part of the story.
They don’t even know what we were doing, what we are testing. Calm down and let us test, and then you will see.
?Carlos Sainz, Williams driver
Favorites Carlos Sainz Expects to Lead the 2026 Championship Battle
During an appearance on Formula 1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz was asked about his predictions for the 2026 title showdown. Without hesitation, he singled out two prominent contenders.
“George Russell or Max Verstappen,” Sainz declared when naming who he believes will fight for the championship. When pushed further to elaborate, he humorously declined to provide more detail.
No, you cannot.
While naming Verstappen and Russell, Sainz acknowledged just how competitive the current Formula 1 landscape has become, especially with the new regulations expected to influence the grid’s balance significantly.
The level in F1 now is so high,
he remarked, recognizing the depth of talent on the track.
Alongside these favorites, Sainz praised reigning world champion Lando Norris, who secured his maiden Drivers’ Championship last season after impressive performances throughout the year.
Lando has always been quick since the day he became an F1 driver,
Sainz said, highlighting Norris’ consistent pace and his strong finish to the previous campaign.
Carlos Sainz’s Commitment to Reviving Williams
Despite the focus on the title contenders, Sainz is deeply invested in the longer-term project with Williams. The team has faced challenges in recent years, but the Spaniard sees potential in the ongoing efforts alongside teammate Alex Albon.
Williams is a life project, he said, underlining his dedication to the team’s progress.
My target is to try and help this team go back to the front of the field.
?Carlos Sainz, Williams driver
Though immediate success may not be forthcoming, Sainz remains hopeful about Williams’ future, envisaging a time when the team can regularly compete for titles once again.
If you ask where I’ll be in two or three years, I would like to say I will be fighting for championships with Williams.
?Carlos Sainz, Williams driver
As Formula 1 prepares to kick off its 2026 season in Australia, fans will soon see whether these predictions hold true and which drivers have truly adapted to the evolving sport. The opening race promises to provide vital insight into who will dominate this new era of Formula 1 racing.
