Carlos Sainz Pushes for Greater Influence on Williams' 2026 F1 Car

Carlos Sainz is determined to have a significant influence on the development of Williams' 2026 Formula 1 car, a stark contrast to his limited input on the 2025 machine. With F1 entering a new era of technical regulations, the Spaniard wants to help shape the car's fundamental design and setup philosophy from the very beginning, aiming to build on his late-season momentum and establish a competitive baseline from day one.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents a massive reset for all teams, with new aerodynamic and power unit regulations potentially reshaping the competitive order. Getting the car's core concept right from the outset is critical, and driver feedback is invaluable in this process. Sainz had minimal impact on the 2025 car as Williams shifted focus early, so his desire for involvement now signals a push for a more collaborative approach to maximize their chances in this new era.

The details:

• Sainz wants to influence the car's initial design and setup philosophy to ensure it has a comfortable and predictable baseline from the first test, avoiding the challenging start he faced in 2025.
• He highlighted the importance of collaborating with Mercedes HPP on software development for the new power unit, believing his and Alex Albon's combined experience can provide a crucial advantage.
• Once the season begins, Sainz aims to be heavily involved in the continuous setup and development race that will define the 2026 championship, a process he feels he can contribute to effectively.
• This push for influence comes after a challenging 2025 start that culminated in two surprise podiums, boosting his confidence and value to the team.

What's next:

The upcoming pre-season tests and the early races of 2026 will be the first real test of this collaborative approach. How effectively Sainz's feedback can be integrated into the car's development trajectory will be a key factor in Williams' ability to compete at the front of the grid under the new regulations. With an experienced driver line-up eager to contribute, Williams is positioning itself to make a significant step forward in the new F1 era.