Carlos Sainz Pinpoints Williams Weakness That Could Become Las Vegas Strength

Carlos Sainz has highlighted a specific weakness of the Williams car at the Brazilian Grand Prix that paradoxically gives him hope for a stronger performance in Las Vegas. After a challenging race in Interlagos where he left without points due to an early collision and a circuit unsuited to the FW47, Sainz believes the opposite characteristics of the Las Vegas track could play into Williams' hands.

Why it matters:

Williams has shown significant improvement this season, but consistent performance across varied circuit types remains a challenge. Sainz's insights reveal the team's ongoing effort to understand and adapt its car to different track layouts. Identifying specific strengths and weaknesses on a per-circuit basis is crucial for maximizing points potential, especially as the team looks to solidify its position in the Constructors' Championship against rivals like Racing Bulls.

The details:

• Brazilian Grand Prix Struggles: Neither Sainz (13th) nor Alex Albon (11th) scored points in Interlagos, marking their third consecutive race without points.
• Interlagos Weakness: Sainz attributed their struggles to the car's performance in "long, medium-low speed long corners," a prevalent feature of the Interlagos circuit.
• Las Vegas Contrast: The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, in stark contrast, emphasizes braking and slow-speed cornering with fewer medium-speed sections. Sainz believes this 'opposite' characteristic could benefit Williams.
• Team Development Focus: Sainz stressed the importance for the team to address these cornering issues, which also impacted their performance in Qatar.
• Historical Las Vegas Performance: Williams' track record in Las Vegas has not been strong, with Albon's 12th place in the inaugural race being their best result. Franco Colapinto finished 14th last year after a qualifying crash.

The big picture:

Williams has enjoyed a much-improved season, already matching last year's points tally by Round 2 and securing a podium finish – their first since 2021. This on-track success is part of a broader rebuilding effort under team boss James Vowles, supported by significant investment from Dorilton Capital. A major sponsorship deal with Atlassian for F1 2025 further highlights the team's growth, with Dorilton having injected £550 million last year alone, totaling £1.5 billion since 2020. Valued at an estimated $2.1 billion, Williams has substantial room for growth compared to rivals like McLaren ($5 billion) and Mercedes ($6 billion), making consistent performance gains vital for their trajectory.

What's next:

Sainz's assessment sets the stage for a crucial weekend in Las Vegas. If Williams can indeed leverage the unique circuit characteristics to their advantage, it would validate their understanding of the FW47 and demonstrate progress in optimizing the car for diverse conditions. The team will be aiming to convert this theoretical strength into tangible points, further cementing their midfield position and continuing their upward trajectory in Formula 1.