Carlos Sainz has put forward an intriguing theory about the shifts in driver performance and competitiveness in Formula 1 that have accompanied the regulation changes. According to him, the transition from the ground-effect era to the new 2026 regulations has significantly altered the competitive landscape, even affecting the balance of power between teammates.
The Williams driver highlighted phenomena clearly visible this season, such as the performance gap between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, as well as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari. Even Max Verstappen's dominance over Isaac Hadjar at Red Bull is no longer as pronounced.
“It's been impressive to see how much the performance balance between teammates has changed. This is a lesson for everyone. We've had confirmation that when the fundamental concept of a car changes, the competitive picture can change as well,” Sainz said in an exclusive interview.
Sainz, who now races for Williams after leaving Ferrari, admitted that the ground-effect cars used from 2022 to 2025 never suited his natural driving style. He had to adapt hard to remain competitive, but believes his performances during that period did not reflect his true capabilities.
“Since 2022, for four years, I was never able to drive in my natural style. I adapted and still managed to achieve some good results, but I remain convinced that the Carlos who drove during the ground-effect era wasn't the same Carlos who drove the 2019, 2020, or 2021 cars,” he explained.
The major regulation changes in 2026, which include chassis and engine changes with a 50/50 balance between internal combustion and electrical power, have presented new challenges for all drivers. They must adapt to very different car characteristics and complex power unit management.
Sainz added that many results in Formula 1 are also determined by being in the right place at the right time. “I've always believed there are cars that simply suit your driving style from the very first laps, and others that don't. Adaptation is key,” he concluded.
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