Johnny Herbert says Carlos Sainz let down by Williams as frustration grows in 2026 F1 season. Johnny Herbert believes Carlos Sainz has been let down by Williams after high expectations.

Williams struggles raise questions after strong 2025 season

At Suzuka, no fewer than three Mercedes-powered cars finished ahead of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull — including the factory Mercedes entries, the McLarens, and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly. The only notable absentee from that group was Williams. The British team had surprised many in 2025 by securing fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship, effectively establishing itself as the best of the rest behind the four leading teams: McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes.

Carlos Sainz, in particular, had impressed during the second half of that season, securing two outstanding podium finishes in Azerbaijan and Qatar. After realizing that his future at Ferrari was no longer an option following the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, the Spanish driver chose to commit to Williams, believing in the long-term project at Grove. However, at the start of the new regulatory cycle, Williams appears to be the only team struggling to fully capitalize on the potential of the Mercedes power unit.

Johnny Herbert: “Sainz has every reason to feel frustrated”

“A lot of promises were made to Carlos Sainz that are not being kept, so his frustration is understandable,” Johnny Herbert said in an interview with Vision4Sport. “Williams had been performing very well, so such a significant drop-off is surprising, especially considering that some fundamental mistakes have been made.”

Johnny Herbert went on to highlight one of the key issues affecting the car’s performance: “The car is overweight — and by quite a margin. That is a crucial factor for performance, but it also reflects the mindset of the people involved, who were not able to produce a car close enough to the minimum weight limit. Carlos Sainz is at a stage in his career where he does not see a positive direction. He is a driver who, if you give him the right car, will always deliver what is expected.”

Johnny Herbert’s blunt assessment confirms what many in the paddock have been whispering: Williams’ 2025 success may have masked deep-rooted systemic issues that have been exposed by the 2026 regulation change. For Carlos Sainz, who is known for his meticulous and technical approach, driving a car that is fundamentally hindered by its weight must be particularly galling.