Carlos Sainz’s recent podium finish in Baku has propelled Williams into the spotlight, stirring debate about Ferrari’s choice to part ways with the driver. This milestone also highlights the noticeable Carlos Sainz team impact as he helped Williams achieve their best podium finish since 2017.
The Spanish driver outpaced his former Ferrari teammates and rivals, notably Lewis Hamilton, who has not reached the podium so far this season. Despite changing teams after an impressive final year at Ferrari with four victories, Sainz had to wait 17 races to deliver a significant outcome with Williams. Baku saw him convert a front-row start into a third-place finish, while key competitors like Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were stuck mid-pack.
How Sainz’s Arrival Has Transformed Williams’ Fortunes
Williams’s performance this season reflects dramatic improvement, with 101 points collected so far—surpassing their combined total over the previous seven years. Sainz’s influence extends beyond his own results, as teammates like Alex Albon have also benefited, enjoying their most consistent campaigns in years. This uptick reaffirms Sainz’s reputation for raising the performance of every team he joins.
Jacques Villeneuve, former Formula 1 world champion, provided insight into Sainz’s effect on his teams, noting a pattern of overall improvement whenever Sainz arrives, followed by decline once he departs.
“If you look at his career, when he’s joined a new team, it has taken him a while, half a season maybe, to get up to speed. He works at it. But in that period, he makes the whole team go better. That’s what happened in every team he’s joined…. And every time he left a team, that team went downhill. Every time. And it’s the same with Ferrari now,” he said.
– Jacques Villeneuve, Former F1 World Champion
This speaks to the underrated leadership and technical input Sainz brings, which helps lift the entire garage’s performance, a charge seen at Williams and also reflected in developments during his clasps with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc at previous teams.
Consequences of Ferrari’s Decision to Replace Sainz
In contrast, Ferrari’s current season is marked by struggles compared to last year’s close constructors’ fight. Last season, Leclerc and Sainz together secured three wins and accumulated 407 points, nearly matching McLaren. This year, Ferrari trails by 286 points and sits in third place—a stark difference since Sainz’s departure.
Guenther Steiner, former F1 team principal, has voiced skepticism over Ferrari’s choice to bring Lewis Hamilton in place of Sainz, highlighting internal doubts within the Scuderia.
“Rimpianto (regret) for Carlos? I think some people in the team do. I think obviously management cannot feel regret because that would be admitting that you did something wrong and you cannot do that. But I’m sure that some of the guys, they’re feeling I get. Because Ferrari finished eight and ninth in Baku, Carlos Sainz in a Williams finished third. I guess the guy feeling best about it is Carlos Sainz,” Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast.
– Guenther Steiner, Former F1 Team Principal
Hamilton, despite his experience, has yet to claim a podium this year and remains sixth in the drivers’ standings with 121 points, while Sainz has already earned a podium for Williams despite fewer overall points. The contrast emphasizes the clear Carlos Sainz team impact, showcasing his ability to outperform expectations and lift team results in challenging environments.
Williams’ Revival and the Broader Championship Landscape
Williams, traditionally seen as backmarkers, has experienced a remarkable resurgence with Sainz on board. The team’s transformation is reflected not just in points but in competitive positioning, as they continue to challenge midfield teams and disrupt established order.
Meanwhile, McLaren leads the constructors’ championship and could clinch the title as early as Singapore with only 13 more points needed. Behind them, a fierce battle for second place involves Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, all striving to establish dominance in a tightly contested season.
This competitive intensity underscores the importance of drivers like Sainz, whose contributions can shift team trajectories and redefine championship dynamics. His ability to improve performance rapidly establishes him as a critical asset not only for Williams but as a benchmark for evaluating team decisions across Formula 1.
As the season progresses, the long-term effects of Ferrari’s decision and Williams’ rapid improvement under Sainz’s influence will continue to impact the championship narrative, with fans and analysts closely watching for further breakthroughs.
