Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Carlos Sainz is stepping into a more influential technical role at Williams Racing as Formula 1 prepares to enter a new regulatory era that will fundamentally reshape both aerodynamics and power unit performance from 2026 onward.
The Spanish driver is entering his second season with Williams after arriving from Ferrari in 2025, but his first year with the team offered limited scope for involvement in car development. Williams opted to halt upgrades early last season in order to reallocate resources toward its next-generation challenger, leaving Sainz largely adapting to a fixed platform rather than actively shaping it.
With the new car set to run for the first time in the coming weeks, the opening tests and early races will determine the initial development trajectory. Sainz is eager to ensure that this direction reflects direct driver feedback, particularly in how the car behaves from its baseline setup. He sees this phase as a critical opportunity to influence the DNA of the project before design paths become locked in.
"I cannot wait to have an influence on the design of the car," Sainz said. “The setup philosophy and the direction that the car takes into next year can make the drivers feel more comfortable from the very beginning. Getting that baseline right is extremely important.”
Beyond aerodynamics and chassis balance, Sainz also highlighted the increasing importance of software and power unit integration under the new rules. Williams will continue to run Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, and Sainz believes driver feedback will play a growing role in how the power unit is optimized across different race conditions.
"The power unit is going to be a huge factor, and that is where the driver can contribute a lot, especially on the software side," he explained. "Having two experienced drivers, myself and Alex Albon, can really help guide that process."
Sainz’s confidence in shaping Williams’ future is underpinned by a strong recovery during his first season with the team. After a difficult adaptation phase, he finished 2025 with two unexpected podiums, a result that reinforced his belief in both the car and the technical group working behind the scenes.
Looking ahead, Sainz sees development as a two-stage process: establishing the right philosophy before the car hits the track, then refining it once real-world data arrives. That continuous loop between driver input and engineering response will be essential if Williams is to close the gap to the front of the grid in the new regulatory cycle.
By positioning himself at the center of that feedback structure, Sainz is aiming not just to drive the Williams, but to actively shape its competitiveness as Formula 1 moves into its next technical chapter, a process that continues to be closely monitored by https://sportrik.com.
Read Also
Four men arrested in connection with the violent robbery of Willi Weber, former manager of Michael Schumacher.
Red Bull Racing extends its title partnership with Oracle through 2030 ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 regulatory era.
Pirelli confirms Mario Isola will leave his F1 tyre leadership role ahead of the 2026 season, with Dario Marrafuschi taking over.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!