Croft: Sainz has 'no regrets' over Williams move despite Audi speculation

Sky Sports commentator David Croft has shut down paddock chatter that Carlos Sainz is rueing his decision to sign with Williams instead of Audi. Despite the Grove squad's difficult 2026 campaign, Croft says Sainz has no regrets and that the team's trajectory under James Vowles is more promising than the current results suggest.

Why it matters:

Sainz's move to Williams was already controversial after Ferrari chose Lewis Hamilton to replace him. Many viewed Audi's works project as the safer long-term bet, so as both teams struggle near the back of the midfield, the rumor mill was inevitable. Croft's intervention matters because it reminds observers that Williams is further along in a genuine rebuild than Audi, which is still wrestling with the basics of being a new power unit manufacturer.

The details:

• Williams is eighth in the constructors' championship with just 11 points, with an overweight chassis severely limiting performance. The team is pinning hopes on a major weight-saving package arriving by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
• Sainz enjoyed a solid 2025 debut with two podiums, but the 2026 car has failed to deliver consistent points.
• Croft noted Audi has endured severe "teething problems" integrating its new power unit with the chassis, leaving them ninth and only one point adrift of Williams.
• Vowles has orchestrated a complete reset at Grove. Croft emphasized that the team had to "rip up the rulebook" from the previous era and effectively start from scratch culturally and operationally.
• The pundit also added context to Audi's recent result, pointing out that a well-timed virtual safety car handed Gabriel Bortoleto a significant advantage, suggesting the on-track gap between the two teams is smaller than the standings imply.

What's next:

Baku is shaping up as a pivotal moment for Sainz and Williams. If the weight reduction works as planned, the FW48 should finally show its true potential and allow Sainz to fight for regular points. Audi's climb, meanwhile, will likely be slower and more painful as it figures out its power unit. Croft's assessment suggests Sainz's patience with Williams could still prove the wiser career move.