Sainz insists Williams has ’failed’ with 2026 car

Carlos Sainz has delivered his strongest criticism yet of Williams’ 2026 campaign, admitting the team has "failed" with this year’s car as speculation about his future continues.

The Spaniard, increasingly linked with a move to Audi, says even the team’s heavily anticipated ’B’ car - set to debut at Baku - is unlikely to transform its fortunes.

"To be perfectly honest, not this year," Sainz told DAZN when asked if he expected a major step forward.

"Even though we’ve talked about a ’B’ car or a new chassis this year, it isn’t as good as the progress other teams are making."

"Racing Bulls’ progress is spectacular - every time they bring an upgrade, they improve by two or three tenths of a second, and we haven’t brought any upgrades like that."

"So, I’m finding it hard to think about how we’re going to get out of this this year."

"What I do want to focus on is learning as much as possible so we can start designing next year’s car in a more competitive way, because it’s clear we’ve failed with this year’s car."

Sainz said Williams is now slipping well behind its midfield rivals.

"We need to wake up and get moving, as we say in Spain," he smiled. "The Alpine is three or four tenths faster, the Audi six or seven, and the Racing Bulls a second."

"This year there’s a one-second difference between the best and worst of the midfield. At Williams we are struggling a lot with this generation of cars."

However, team boss James Vowles believes Formula 1’s planned aerodynamic rule revisions for 2027 could offer Williams a better opportunity.

"The rules will change, and they will be significant," he said on Saturday.

"There will be changes to the tray behind the front wing, the rear wing as well, and several areas of the floor."

"It’s not as faithful an adaptation as we’d all like, but there are good reasons for it. We didn’t expect these changes, but I think the direction is correct."

"I agree with what’s being done in the sport. It will help create a better format and goes hand in hand with the engine changes."