Sainz: “It makes me really angry, but I should have been more conservative”

Carlos Sainz sat down with AS in Qatar to analyzes a season that doesn’t quite resemble his past ones, but which concludes crowned by Williams’ best results of 2025: the podium in Baku and third place in the Austin sprint.

Consistency was lacking, which has always been a hallmark of the Spaniard, but he took over a Williams that was ninth in 2024 and has led them to fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship. He talks about that process, his self-criticism, and the comparisons with Hamilton and Ferrari in this interview.

How would you describe your season?

Sainz: It’s been a very unusual year. I had about six months of adaptation, but honestly, this was one of the cars I adapted to the fastest. I felt comfortable right away — you could see it in the early races and even in the Bahrain test, where I was quick. By the time we got to qualifying in Imola and Miami, I was already putting the Williams in the top five. If someone had told me back in the summer of 2024 that I’d be first in Q2 at Imola or fifth in Q3 at Miami, you’d expect things to go well. The problem was that, for one reason or another, the Sunday results just didn’t come. Every weekend it was something different, and I couldn’t understand why so many things kept happening. But by staying calm and working hard, the results finally came in the second half of the season.

Where do you see room for self-criticism?

Sainz: In those first ten races, there were mistakes from everyone — including me. I always owned up when I felt it was my fault. If it was external factors or errors from certain departments in the team, I said that too. In the second half, mistakes still happened, again including mine. Race errors, maybe not choosing battles wisely or not considering who I was fighting against. I had three or four incidents with rookies where I should’ve judged better and given them a little more space. And I’ll keep being self-critical: there were many times this year when I could’ve secured eighth, seventh, or ninth — like in Monza, Austin, and other races. Eighth place doesn’t excite me much because I’ve won races and stood on podiums. But I had to reframe my mindset and remind myself that those four points are very valuable for Williams in the Constructors’ Championship. I criticize myself because I could’ve locked in many more points but didn’t, simply because I wanted one or two positions more.

Have you thought about becoming a more conservative driver in this part of the grid?

Sainz: Yes, absolutely. In this part of the grid, you have to be. When I raced with Toro Rosso, Renault, or McLaren, I was.

You used to have long streaks of finishing in the points…

Sainz: Exactly. That’s something I reflected on at the end of the year. Back then, eighth place was my victory. Now that I’ve had podiums and wins, maybe I don’t think clearly that a sixth or eighth is still a mini-victory with Williams. I need to choose battles better, especially against rookies, and recognize that in the conditions I raced this year, I should’ve been more conservative. It frustrates me to say it, because I’ve never been reserved when fighting at the front. But I could’ve had 100 points this season if I had been.

“I didn’t see much value in an eighth place after winning or being on the podium, but for Williams they are very valuable points.”

Carlos Sainz

Other winning drivers have struggled when moving to smaller teams — Ricciardo at McLaren comes to mind. Were you worried about that happening to you?

Sainz: You always have doubts and worries in a new season. But if you have speed, there’s no doubt. I said from the start that I was fast. Other drivers maybe never found speed in those cars, but I knew results would come once we straightened out a few things. That’s why the podium in Baku was so important — giving Williams its first podium in years, and proving my narrative right. I kept saying all year that I was quick and something good would happen once the bad luck stopped. That podium reminded me that if there’s a car capable of fighting for a podium, I’ll get it. I did it again in Austin in the sprint. That reassured me because I showed my team, the media, and myself that I could deliver.

It’s simplistic to say Ferrari has struggled since you left and Williams has improved since you arrived, but the trend is clear. Is that another quality you bring as a driver?

Sainz: I don’t know what problems Ferrari has had this year, so I can’t say whether I could’ve prevented them. Without that knowledge, I can’t comment on the idea that teams get worse when I leave. But I can talk about the other statistic. I used to joke about the “Carlos Sainz effect” — there was a social media trend when I joined McLaren, people saying every time Sainz goes to a team, the team improves. And with Williams this year, that narrative holds true. Maybe it’s coincidence, but I’d like to think I have some effect. Every driver has different qualities, and one of mine is being deeply involved in car development and getting the most out of everyone in the team. I think that’s one of my strengths: trying to make the team better wherever I go.

“I side with Hamilton and it’s very, very difficult to join a team and stand out, the level is very high.”

Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz on Ferrari, Hamilton, and his future with Williams

Q: Ferrari let you go to sign the most successful driver in history, but he hasn’t really stood out there yet. Does that, indirectly, make you look good? Sainz: No. What makes me look good depends on what I do with the team I’m in, not on what happens with a team I’ve already left. I’ve always wished Ferrari the best. Even if Hamilton were having a great year, as long as I’m performing well at Williams, whatever happens on the other side is irrelevant to me. I know people enjoy that kind of drama — especially when we’re talking about a seven‑time world champion — but the level in Formula 1 is incredibly high. Leclerc is performing at an amazing level; Albon, Norris, Verstappen, Russell — they’re all at the top of their game. I sympathize with Lewis. It’s extremely difficult to join a new team and immediately shine, especially in your first year when your teammate knows the car and the team inside out. It’s very, very tough. I can’t even explain how tough it is.

Q: How closely will you be watching the driver market in 2026? Sainz: At first, not much. My only goal is to have a strong 2026 with Williams. After that, we’ll see which teams get the new regulations right and which don’t. But ideally, my future is here. I’ve found a great place for the next chapter of my career, and nothing would make me prouder than being part of the team that brings Williams back to winning. My objective is simple: Williams builds a competitive car, I trust in it, and I stay. That’s 100 percent clear.

“I see the possibility of becoming world champion again”

Do you feel closer to being a world champion today than you did at Ferrari?

Sainz: This year was a step back in terms of fighting for the title. But by the end of the season, I once again see the possibility of winning a World Championship in the future. At the start of the year, I had doubts. Now, I’ve seen a team that can help me achieve it down the road.

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