Carlos Sainz says Williams’ recovery speed will influence his next contract decision. He plans to begin detailed talks during the summer break.
The Spaniard remains under contract and continues racing for Williams this season.
Williams fell behind its original targets
Sainz joined Williams after leaving Ferrari at the end of 2024. James Vowles presented a long-term plan for returning to victories.
The first season delivered two third-place finishes for the team. Those podiums came in Azerbaijan and Qatar.
They were Williams’ first podium finishes in four years.
Williams entered 2026 expecting another step toward the leading group. An overweight car and production delays disrupted that plan.
The team scored eleven points across the opening ten rounds. Sainz contributed six points to that total.
His best finishes were three ninth places in China, Miami and Canada. Those results sit below his original competitive expectations.
Sainz accepts that a rebuilding project requires time. He now believes the route will take longer than first planned.
Summer talks will examine the longer project
Sainz said he cannot provide a fixed date for his decision. Discussions with his representatives and Williams will begin during the break.
Vowles remains central to those talks as team principal. Sainz also expects other senior team members to take part.
The current contract covers the 2026 season. Summer talks will focus on the following years.
Sainz wants to understand the development timetable before committing further. He can see Williams investing in staff and facilities.
Factory work and future planning continue despite poor results from the present car. Those projects support his remaining confidence.
The decision therefore depends on more than the current points table. Sainz will compare progress with his personal career timeline.
The driver still believes in the Williams plan
Sainz has not withdrawn his support for the project. He continues to describe the team’s wider direction positively.
His concern centres on how long improvement will require. The delay may extend his wait for another race-winning opportunity.
Sainz is thirty-one and already has victories with Ferrari. He wants another period near the front during his career.
Williams offers a major role inside its rebuilding programme. The same role also asks the driver to accept short-term difficulty.
Sainz said the current car has missed expectations for several reasons. He did not blame one department or individual.
His comments focused on Williams’ recovery speed and development work.
Results explain the new caution
The 2025 podiums showed that Williams could convert strong weekends into major results. They also raised expectations before the new regulations.
| Driver | Carlos Sainz |
|---|---|
| Current team | Williams |
| 2026 points after ten rounds | Six |
| Decision window | Summer break |
This season produced fewer opportunities and a slower points return. Several midfield rivals moved ahead during the opening rounds.
Sainz has repeatedly discussed performance problems with the car. His comments became firmer after another difficult Belgian weekend.
He wants the development work to produce faster lap times and better results.
The Hungarian Grand Prix provides another comparison with the midfield rivals.
Williams still has the second half of the season to demonstrate progress. Each update and result adds information for Sainz.
Williams have time to demonstrate progress
The second half gives Williams more races to evaluate its current car.
Factory work continues while the race team develops the existing car.
Sainz provides feedback from his earlier years with Ferrari and McLaren.
The team also needs weekends without mistakes or technical problems.
Hungary offers slower corners and few overtaking opportunities.
Summer talks will compare those results with the longer development plan.
Sainz will judge both time and progress
Sainz said winning again may take one or two years longer than first planned.
He now considers where the project could stand within three or four seasons. Recent investment gives him a basis for that assessment.
The team retains experienced staff and modernised facilities. The current car still lacks the required pace.
Sainz can contribute technical feedback while those changes continue. His experience from Ferrari and McLaren supports development work.
Williams also needs stable race execution alongside a quicker car. Points have become difficult when either part falls short.
The summer meeting will focus on his contract and Williams’ recovery plan.
Sainz said he can see Williams investing in staff and facilities.
He also described the team’s long-term vision as clear.
His concern is the extra time now required to reach race-winning form.
That delay will shape the contract talks during the summer break.
Williams seek points before the summer break
The team scored eleven points across the first ten rounds.
Sainz contributed six after ninth-place finishes in China, Miami and Canada.
Hungary offers one more result before discussions continue during the break.
Williams finished fifth in last season’s team standings.
That result followed seven years near the bottom of the championship.
The FW48 then missed the Barcelona shakedown because its build programme was late.
The car also began the season above the team’s intended weight.
Albon finished behind Sainz in Miami, giving Williams its first double-points result this season.
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