Spanish driver Carlos Sainz has openly expressed concern that the upcoming rule changes in the 2026 Formula 1 season could erase much of the progress made by Williams. After making a notable impact relocating from Ferrari to Williams last year, Sainz now faces the challenge of adapting once again to drastically altered regulations that threaten to undo his and the team’s recent gains.
Williams’ Surge and Sainz’s Contributions in 2025
In 2025, Sainz delivered two podium finishes and played a key role in elevating Williams to fifth place in the constructors’ championship, marking a significant improvement for the storied team. His successful adjustment to the Williams car, supported by his experience at Ferrari, helped the team regain competitiveness. However, the planned 2026 regulations, which introduce active aerodynamics and redesigned power units, are expected to reshuffle the competitive order and demand fresh learning for all drivers.
Impact of Radical Technical Changes on Driver Adaptation
The driver shared his worries about losing the familiarity he has developed with the current Williams machine.
“In a way, yes, because I’ve adapted my driving style to this car,”
Sainz said.
“Now I know how to execute good qualifying sessions and solid races with this car, but suddenly, next season, it’s like changing teams again. The car is going to feel completely new and raw to everyone.”
Unsurprisingly, this introduces an element of uncertainty for drivers trying to maintain their performance levels.
Sainz Reflects on Skills and Experience Becoming Obsolete
The changes mean that all the driving techniques and adaptations Sainz carefully refined will lose their relevance. As he put it,
“So all the changes I’ve made to my driving style, to my tools from coming from Ferrari, they can all go in the bin,”
underscoring the frustration shared among many in the paddock facing this reset.
New Season Offers a Level Playing Field for All Teams
Despite this setback, Sainz sees opportunity in the reset.
“Everyone starts from scratch next year. In 2025, I was one of the only ones to start from scratch, but next year, all 22 of us will,”
he explained. This shared fresh start could allow Williams and other teams to challenge longstanding frontrunners more aggressively, provided they adapt well to the new rules.
Williams’ Prospects and Sainz’s Confidence Amid Regulatory Changes
Sainz expressed belief in Williams’ potential under stable regulations:
“I have strong confidence that if the regulations were stable, Williams and I would have made another good step and continued to close that gap to the front.”
He also noted,
“But the new regulations do offer the possibility for an unexpected big jump,”
suggesting there could be surprising developments in the competitive landscape.
The Road Ahead for Sainz and Williams in a New Era
As the 2026 season approaches, all attention will be on Carlos Sainz and Williams to see if they can overcome the disruption caused by these sweeping changes. This pivotal moment in Formula 1 could redefine the sport’s competitive dynamic, with Sainz positioned to either turn this setback into a breakthrough or struggle with the transition. The evolving regulations promise a compelling and unpredictable future for the entire grid.
