Key takeaways

Having recently signed a new contract extension, Carlos Sainz arrived in Zandvoort with a blunt assessment: Williams needs “a new car” if it hopes to compete against its main Formula 1 rivals. The Spaniard argued that the team fundamentally missed the mark on the FW48’s concept and urged Grove to direct its development efforts toward next season.

After finishing fifth in last year’s Constructors’ Championship, the James Vowles-led squad anticipated getting closer to Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull under the new regulations. Instead, struggling with aerodynamic balance and overweight issues, the driver lineup has secured just 11 points so far, falling behind newcomer Audi in the standings.

To mitigate their performance deficit, Williams has prepared a significant update package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in late September. However, echoing teammate Alexander Albon’s cautious outlook, Sainz emphasized that minor updates will not solve their core issues.

“I believe the Baku package, if it works for us, can allow us to at least get a bit closer to the top 10,” Sainz told Spanish newspaper As. “But we are so far behind even Racing Bulls — it was 1.5 seconds in Budapest — that unless you bring a new car, like Aston Martin brought [in Hungary], an upgrade package won’t give you 1s or 1.5s. So you need to bring a new car, and this year there is no longer time for that.”

“We created a concept that cannot be developed much further because it is a flawed concept,” Sainz added. “It isn’t fast, and we don’t have the capacity to evolve it at the rate the top teams are evolving, and they are 3 seconds ahead of us, so it’s clear that something isn’t working.”

Carlos Sainz urged Williams to shift its focus toward 2027 development (Photo: Williams)

Sainz reflected on Williams’ trajectory in 2025, where the team made ground during the final year of the ground-effect regulations, securing two podium finishes with Sainz in Azerbaijan and Qatar. Those results elevated expectations for the current campaign.

“Last year, we were able to develop the car because we understood the regulations and had a concept similar to everyone else,” he concluded. “We were the team that made the biggest step. So it’s clear that this year, when we had to start from scratch, we didn’t get the concept right, and that prevents us from evolving it.”

Formula 1 returns this weekend, from August 21 to 23, for the Dutch Grand Prix — the 12th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO covers all the track action live from Zandvoort with reporter Leonid Kliuev. Follow all paddock updates on our news page.

Session schedule: Dutch Grand Prix 2026

SessionLocal time (CEST)UTC
Free Practice 1Friday, August 21 – 12:3010:30
Free Practice 2Friday, August 21 – 16:0014:00
Free Practice 3Saturday, August 22 – 11:3009:30
QualifyingSaturday, August 22 – 15:0013:00
RaceSunday, August 23 – 15:0013:00

Broadcast guide: Where to watch in the United States

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Has Carlos Sainz renewed his contract with Williams?

Yes, Williams officially confirmed a multi-year contract extension for Carlos Sainz, keeping him alongside Alexander Albon for the 2027 season.

2. When is Williams bringing its next major update package?

Williams has scheduled a significant upgrade package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in late September.

3. Where does Williams currently stand in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship?

Williams sits in 9th place in the Constructors’ Standings with 11 points, trailing behind Audi.