Carlos Sainz was one of the central figures during the unveiling of the new Williams FW48 livery, a significant milestone as the team prepares for the 2026 World Championship. Although the Grove-based outfit was forced to skip the collective shakedown in Barcelona due to slight delays in passing the FIA crash tests, the mood remains overwhelmingly positive. The team clarified that the structural modifications to the chassis resulted in a weight increase of only 7.5 kg—a figure perfectly in line with rival cars and far from a cause for concern.
The words of Carlos Sainz after the FW48 livery launch
After pulling the covers off the FW48, Carlos Sainz shared his excitement for the new project and the connection with the Williams fanbase: “I am thrilled to race with this livery and to share all of this with our fans around the world; their support makes the difference. The FW48 livery celebrates the tradition of Williams while embracing a fresh and dynamic look for the new era.”
The Spaniard then looked toward the 2026 season, emphasizing how the new regulatory cycle represents a total reset for everyone on the grid: “I am very excited to get started. Every team and every driver will start from a blank sheet of paper. Completely new cars and new regulations. All the experience gained with the FW47 is reset.”
This is a concept he reiterated when discussing his second year with the Grove team, which feels different in many respects: “In many ways, a second season with the team feels very different. I now know almost all the key people, which makes everything simpler and more straightforward. At the same time, everything is new: a completely new car and completely new regulations. We have to start from scratch, and that excites me a lot.”
Focusing on progress over fixed targets
When asked about specific objectives for the year, Sainz was clear that he isn’t interested in setting rigid benchmarks just yet: “I think it is impossible to set certain goals. This is the biggest regulatory change since at least 2014, perhaps even bigger. What I will be watching is how well the team is progressing in all the areas where we know we are still lacking.”
Reflecting on the recent past, the Spanish driver expressed satisfaction with the foundations laid in 2025: “If at the start of the year someone had told me we would achieve multiple podiums, a Sprint podium, and fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship with both drivers in the top ten, I would have thought it was fantastic. We had a very solid year together. Now we must build on that foundation.”
Finally, he touched upon his relationship with teammate Alex Albon, which he views as a critical asset for the team’s development: “Right from the start, we had a very solid relationship. Now we know each other well—our strengths and weaknesses. By combining his experience with mine and maintaining a healthy competition, we can help Williams take a major step forward, especially in such a complex season.”
Carlos Sainz’s measured optimism following the Williams FW48 reveal highlights a driver who is fully embraced by the “blank slate” philosophy of the 2026 technical regulations. By prioritizing internal team growth and structural progress over specific championship standings, Sainz is positioning himself as a leader within the Grove project during its most critical transition phase in a decade. While the team’s absence from the Barcelona shakedown remains a talking point, the strong rapport between Sainz and Albon, coupled with a highly efficient 2025 baseline, suggests that Williams possesses the stability required to capitalize on the unpredictable hierarchy of Formula 1’s newest era.
Carlos Sainz is therefore entering the 2026 season with a focus on team evolution and adaptability, believing that the radical regulation changes provide Williams with the perfect opportunity to continue their climb toward the front of the grid.
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