Carlos Sainz downplayed Williams‘ double-points finish at the Miami Grand Prix, outlining a likely timeframe of when exactly it will recover from its early-Formula 1 season slump.
The Grove-based squad entered 2026 full of confidence, after a 2025 season that yielded its best points total and Constructors’ Championship finish in years.
But after opting to miss the ‘shakedown week’ in Barcelona prior to pre-season testing, it transpired that the FW48 was carrying the handicap of being heavier than its rivals’ challengers.
It has led to the team frustratingly being forced towards the back of the field again, rather than maintain its superiority in the midfield, and push on further towards the front of the grid.
Miami was Sainz’s second points finish of the year, and was joined by Alex Albon, as the pair finished ninth and 10th respectively, offering a ray of hope for the James Vowles-led outfit.
But after the race, Sainz was still frustrated, issuing caution that the result is unlikely to reflect on exactly where the team currently is in terms of performance, admitting that it’s “not where we want to be.”
Sainz continued: “Still, I expect everyone at home to know that this is still not where we want to be, even if it feels to everyone that it’s a bit of a relief because of getting two cars in the points.
“Even if it’s on merit, it’s definitely a good step, but we need to keep on pushing because it’s not where we expected to be at the end of last year when we were hoping for 2026, and hopefully the start of a new recovery.
“Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can get back to where we want to be.”
For Sainz, it will no doubt be a frustrating period, but the lingering uncertainty around the current regulations will still leave some expectation that as the season will go on, there is a possibility further points results will be possible.
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