“I never thought I’d be able to beat the Ferraris in Qualifying after six races and be on par with them in the race.” Carlos Sainz did not hide his astonishment at what happened three weeks ago in Miami, a weekend in which Williams was the fourth-best team on track, ahead of a Ferrari unable to solve the setup puzzle on a circuit that highlighted the SF-25’s weaknesses, especially at the rear mechanically.
Of course, the 2025 Miami weekend is the exception and not the rule in terms of the balance of power between Ferrari and Williams, but it’s already surprising that what was expected to be a major step backwards for Carlos Sainz—moving from Ferrari to Williams—has already shown glimpses of an upside-down world compared to expectations.
Interviewed by Corriere dello Sport, Carlos Sainz stressed he is surprised by Ferrari’s current situation, but he’s convinced that the Maranello team will fix the “small problems” it’s currently facing. When asked about a hypothetical return to Maranello, Carlos Sainz responded: “When Ferrari calls, you answer, but I want to imagine something different: the rebirth of the glorious Williams of the past, and that I’m the driver who brings them back to the top. Right now, nothing motivates me more.”
In 2026, with the arrival of the new power units, Williams could experience a revival similar to what happened in 2014, when Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa unexpectedly found themselves with a car that was the second-best on the grid behind the dominant Mercedes. If that happens, what Carlos Sainz envisions might come true: “Becoming world champion is the only reason I race in F1. In 3 or 4 years, it might be possible,” said Carlos Sainz.
Leave a Reply