Carlos Sainz has shared his optimism ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season despite not having had the debut season with Williams that he would have wanted. The Spaniard’s new team are enjoying their best campaign for a decade, but it is team-mate Alex Albon who has delived the lion’s share of points up to now.
Sainz found it tough to adapt to his new surroundings after four years driving for Ferrari, while he has also suffered plenty of bad luck this season which has hampered his chances of delivering on track. But there have also been some moments of joy, most notably at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix where he qualified on the front row of the grid and converted that into the team’s first podium since 2021.
By next season, Sainz will have a year’s experience of racing for Williams under his belt which should help him to find the consistency he is looking for. And the 31-year-old is also excited about the Mercedes engines that the team will use in F1’s new era, with paddock rumours suggesting the Silver Arrows are confident that their new power units will be strong.
He said: “I have a lot of confidence in the Mercedes engine. It is actually one of the main reasons I chose Williams for this new regulation change. I knew we would be running the Mercedes power unit, and everything I have heard about it has been positive, and still is.”
That said, Sainz knows it would be foolish to assume Mercedes‘s next engine will be head and shoulders above those of their rivals in terms of performance, simply because that was the case the last time F1 saw a major shift in terms of engine design rules. The Spaniard was quick to point out that there are plenty of rivals who will be using Mercedes power units, and also others who will use engines supplied by very capable and experienced manufacturers.
Sainz added: “Of course, we cannot forget that Mercedes will have the Mercedes engine, McLaren will have it, Alpine will have it, and so will Williams. That is already four teams, eight cars, with the same engine, and two of those teams, especially McLaren, are superior right now.
So, no matter how good the engine is, you still need to get everything right with the chassis. And of course, Aston Martin with Honda will be competitive, and Ferrari will always be there. Ferrari are always in the fight.”
Williams are fifth in the constructors’ standings, heading into this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. Albon has scored 70 of their 102 points up to now and is eighth in the drivers’ championship, but Sainz’s Baku podium almost doubled his own total for the season and catapulted him up to 12th with 32 points.
