Sainz joins Alonso in questioning rivals’ upgrades

Carlos Sainz has echoed fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso’s bemusement at how Formula 1’s top teams continue to introduce upgrades almost every race despite the budget cap.

Alonso joked earlier in Austria that the leading teams must have a "money machine in the minus one floor in the factory" after seeing yet another lengthy FIA upgrades list.

Sainz, meanwhile, is growing increasingly frustrated by Williams’ stalled progress amid mounting speculation about his future beyond 2026.

"I somewhat agree with Fernando in what he said on Thursday," he said.

"We are very surprised by the number of improvements that the best teams bring. That’s Formula 1, especially in a year where everyone is bringing upgrades to practically every race.

"The differences are enormous - they’re gigantic."

Williams brought nothing new to Austria, where Sainz failed to escape Q1.

"As soon as we saw the list of upgrades from the other teams for this race, we clearly saw that if we already suffered in Barcelona with the heat and fast corners, then here, which is also hot and has fast corners, we were going to suffer," he said.

The Spaniard pointed to two familiar weaknesses.

"We’re still very overweight, with a car that’s not fast in corners. So there are no secrets - either we bring things in or we’ll keep fighting for Q1."

Williams is planning a major upgrade for next weekend at Silverstone.

"If I’m fighting to get into Q1, I hope this is the last time," he said. "If not, that’s a bad sign."

He admitted he cannot understand how the frontrunners continue developing so aggressively within the financial regulations.

"If it were up to us, without a budget cap, we’d bring in more upgrades," said Sainz.

"I don’t know how the top teams do it, bringing upgrades every time. They must be more efficient with the cost cap, because they’re constantly bringing upgrades, and I don’t know why we midfielders can’t bring as many.

"It’s because we’re limited by the budget cap. There must be something financial there that we’re clearly not doing right."

For Sunday’s race, however, Sainz admitted Williams will need some serious outside help to score. "If seven people retire, we’ll score points," he smiled.

"If not, we won’t."