Sainz criticizes Verstappen's 'do whatever he wants' mindset after Miami GP move

Carlos Sainz accused Max Verstappen of thinking "he can do whatever he wants" after an on-track clash during the Miami Grand Prix, a race where Sainz's Williams team nonetheless secured its first double points finish of the 2026 season. The incident highlighted tensions in the midfield as Verstappen recovered from an early spin, while Williams showed signs of progress with a major upgrade package.

Why it matters:

Sainz's radio outburst points to the heightened pressure and perceived aggression in the tightly packed midfield, where every position is fiercely contested. For Williams, scoring points with both cars is a crucial morale and constructors' boost after a difficult start to the new regulations, suggesting their development path may be yielding results.

The details:

• The clash occurred as Verstappen, who spun after a first-corner battle for the lead, was fighting his way back through the field.
• Sainz took to team radio to protest, stating, "He pushed me off. He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he's racing the midfield."
• Despite the frustration, Sainz managed to finish P9, leading a Williams double points finish alongside teammate Alex Albon.
• The Grove squad brought a significant upgrade package to Miami, which Sainz credited for the improved performance, calling it a "very solid race" and noting the car showed "extremely good pace today, quicker than the midfield."

What's next:

While celebrating the points haul, Sainz tempered expectations, emphasizing that fighting for P9 is still below Williams' pre-season targets.

• He acknowledged the team has "a good part of the year to recover" and must "keep digging deep" to meet their own higher expectations.
• The incident is likely to be reviewed by the stewards, potentially leading to further discussion about racing standards in the midfield pack.
• For Williams, the focus will be on consolidating this step forward and ensuring the Miami performance becomes a consistent baseline, not a one-off result.