Carlos Sainz has admitted that Williams can no longer compete with Aston Martin after being impressed by the AMR26’s dramatic progress during the 2026 Formula 1 season. The new Aston Martin package required considerable set-up work during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, but its combination of chassis, aerodynamic and Power Unit improvements ultimately delivered another encouraging result at Zandvoort.
Adrian Newey and Honda have made major progress compared with the beginning of the season, with Fernando Alonso recovering from 18th on the grid to finish ninth and score points. The result underlined how far Aston Martin has come and left Carlos Sainz particularly impressed after briefly finding himself fighting against his fellow Spaniard during the race.
Carlos Sainz says Aston Martin has become the best of the midfield
Carlos Sainz believes the AMR26 has undergone a remarkable transformation, moving from one of the weakest cars in terms of aerodynamic load to potentially the strongest package among the midfield teams.
“The AMR26 has gone from being the worst in terms of aerodynamic load to probably being the best in the midfield. Now, with their race pace, they are in another category and, on top of that, they manage the tyres exceptionally well. I don’t think we can fight them anymore,” Carlos Sainz told Marca.com.
The assessment reflects the contrasting trajectories of Aston Martin and Williams. While Aston Martin has continued to unlock performance from its 2026 package, Williams has struggled to demonstrate similar progress in recent races.
The Grove team had previously been in a position to compete with Audi for eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, with Adrian Newey’s Aston Martin project now moving forward, Williams risks slipping to 10th, ahead only of Cadillac.
That makes Carlos Sainz’s commitment to the team particularly significant. Williams recently confirmed that Carlos Sainz has extended his contract beyond 2027, reinforcing his faith in the Grove team’s longer-term rebuilding project despite the difficult 2026 campaign.
Carlos Sainz frustrated by Williams’ current position
The Spaniard made little attempt to hide his disappointment when discussing Williams’ current competitiveness.
“The truth is that right now we can’t fight anyone anymore,” Carlos Sainz continued.
His frustration was compounded by what happened late in the Dutch Grand Prix with team-mate Alex Albon. Carlos Sainz acknowledged responsibility for the incident after locking a front tyre and being unable to avoid contact.
“We were having fun, then I made the mistake of locking the front and there was nothing I could do to avoid the contact.”
Carlos Sainz’s comments made clear that he regretted the mistake and does not want to repeat a similar incident in future races. The result came at an important stage of the season, with every point becoming increasingly valuable as teams fight for position in the Constructors’ Championship.
Williams and Aston Martin heading in opposite directions
Williams and Aston Martin currently find themselves in almost opposite situations. Despite its declining performance, the Grove team has managed to secure its driver line-up for 2027, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both committed to the project.
Aston Martin, by contrast, continues trying to convince Fernando Alonso that its project is strong enough to retain his confidence for the seasons ahead. The team’s recent performance gains provide a powerful argument, particularly after the progress seen at Zandvoort.
The wider competitive picture remains important as the season develops, with the 2026 Formula 1 standings highlighting how quickly the balance between teams and drivers can change as development packages begin to deliver.
For Carlos Sainz, the difference is now clear on track. Aston Martin has made the kind of step forward Williams has so far been unable to match, turning the AMR26 into a car he believes has become the class of the midfield. In the circumstances, Carlos Sainz might currently be tempted to swap positions with his friend and fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso.
The next races on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar will provide another indication of whether Aston Martin can maintain its momentum and whether Williams can respond before its championship position comes under even greater pressure.
