Carlos Sainz opens up ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix: adaptation challenges, hidden progress, and long-term ambition for the future
Carlos Sainz approaches the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix with a combination of realism and determination. While the current Formula 1 season has not yet delivered major results, the Spanish driver remains undeterred. His belief in the long-term Williams project remains strong, even after a first half of the year that turned out to be more complicated than originally anticipated.
According to Carlos Sainz, the most challenging period came during the middle portion of the season, when the Williams team began to lose ground and the battle within the midfield became more intense. Despite that, he pointed out that the team is still scoring more points than any of its direct rivals in the central part of the standings. “We have been the team with the highest points total in the midfield. That should give us momentum going into the second half of the season.”
One of the key obstacles, he explained, has been adapting to a completely new technical philosophy. Williams’ design approach, combined with the characteristics of the Mercedes power unit, has demanded a significant transformation in driving style—especially in terms of brake management and the transition phase between braking and throttle application. “It’s not so much about adapting to the car itself, but putting all the pieces together during the race is still challenging.”
When speaking about his decision to join Williams, Carlos Sainz made it clear that the year 2025 was never intended to be the final goal. “I didn’t come here for immediate results. I came for the potential of 2026, 2027, and 2028. The more time I spend inside the team, the more convinced I am that I made the right choice.”
Carlos Sainz also commented—somewhat ironically—on the contract extension of Frédéric Vasseur with Scuderia Ferrari, the team he departed at the end of 2024. “I didn’t know an announcement or renewal was necessary. At Ferrari they often do this just to stop the rumors. But I’m happy for him—he’s doing a great job.”
Looking ahead to the race weekend in Budapest, Carlos Sainz remains cautious but optimistic. The Hungaroring layout may not be perfectly suited to the characteristics of the Williams FW47, but recent technical improvements have opened up the possibility of fighting for points. Furthermore, the clear objective is to return to the level of performance seen earlier in the year at Imola, where Williams had delivered one of its best performances of the season.
Finally, Carlos Sainz addressed the ongoing issue of poor visibility in wet conditions, returning to the controversial Spa incident earlier in the season. While he defended the FIA’s conservative approach, he also suggested there should be more transparent communication with the fans. “Sometimes, with zero visibility, you’re just leaving everything to luck. But with even minimal visibility, we can rely on our skill as drivers to avoid accidents.”
As the second half of the 2025 Formula 1 season gets underway, Carlos Sainz is ready to push forward. While there may still be opportunities to seize this year, his focus is already firmly set on the long-term vision and potential that lies ahead.
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