Carlos Sainz hits Silverstone for private Williams test during long F1 break. Carlos Sainz took part in a Williams TPC test at Silverstone.

The Spanish driver is trying to stay in peak condition during this long break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

A steering wheel for Carlos

Carlos Sainz is eager to get back behind the wheel, as he clearly cannot wait any longer for this extended spring break imposed on Formula 1 after the cancellation of the races originally scheduled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.

The Spanish driver, together with the entire Williams team, is determined to recover from a difficult start to the season for the historic British outfit. While waiting to see whether the updates planned for Miami by the James Vowles-led team will deliver results, Sainz wants to ensure he does not lose sharpness or physical condition when it is time to return to serious racing.

At Silverstone with the FW47

Since he was already in the UK working in the simulator, Carlos Sainz pushed for Williams to organise a TPC test at Silverstone with last year’s car, the FW47, which the former Ferrari driver used to secure two podiums during the 2025 campaign.

Normally, regulations for testing older Formula 1 cars require the machinery to be at least two seasons old. However, due to the major regulatory overhaul introduced this year, teams are allowed to run 2025-spec cars as well.

Sainz therefore took advantage of a sunny day to regain confidence inside a Formula 1 cockpit, less than a month after his last race in Suzuka. That event ended with the Spanish driver finishing 15th, more than a minute behind winner Kimi Antonelli.

The hope within Williams is that the upgraded version of the FW48 will allow Carlos Sainz to return to competition closer to the points positions and fight more consistently in the midfield battle once the season resumes in full intensity.

Carlos Sainz’s private test at Silverstone therefore highlights his relentless drive to keep his performance levels at their peak during an unexpected break in the calendar. By revisiting the FW47, a car he knows well, Sainz is effectively bridging the gap between his recent struggles and the anticipated updates for the FW48. As Williams prepares for the Miami Grand Prix, this extra track time could be the vital spark needed to reignite their 2026 campaign and help Carlos Sainz find the form that saw him on the podium just one year ago.