JUNE 30, 2026

Sainz's father says Williams faces long road back

Carlos Sainz's father has admitted Williams is unlikely to make major progress this season, as speculation continues to swirl about his son's next move.

Reports are linking Sainz with potential opportunities elsewhere in 2027, although the Spaniard has repeatedly insisted his immediate focus remains on helping Williams recover.

Speaking at the opening of Plenergy's 400th service station, where he was appearing as a brand ambassador, two-time World Rally champion Carlos Sainz Sr defended his son's performances.

The philosophy of life has to be to never give up, he is quoted as saying by Spanish newspapers.

In difficult times, you have to have a clear plan and grit your teeth. That's what Carlos is doing.

I think he's having a fantastic year because, well, with what he has, he can't do more. And above all, he's showing that he hasn't given up even though he's fighting at the back.

Sainz Sr poured cold water on expectations of a dramatic turnaround at Williams before the end of the season. The gap is too great, he said.

It's clear they're going to improve. But the pace of improvement has to be so spectacular that maybe they'll improve enough to be fighting for a place in Q2, but little more.

He added that the current performance gap across Formula 1 is disappointing.

We've gone from the most competitive F1 in history to seeing differences of four seconds, said Sainz senior. Let's hope that little by little Williams and the entire grid will close the gap so the spectacle is better and the first car doesn't lap the seventh.

Looking further ahead, Sainz Sr said the looming arrival of Formula 1 in Madrid will at least give his son a home race close to home.

Although I wish it had been under different circumstances, he's sure to enjoy having a race 20 minutes from his house. That will give him special motivation and, in any case, there are nine more years of the Grand Prix ahead.

The Williams driver himself also reiterated that Williams has slipped backwards compared to last season.

Last year I would have said yes, but this year I think we've taken a step backward that leaves us further behind, he said when asked whether podiums and victories might be in the team's future.

That's a fact.

He added: But if you do things really well, as Red Bull, Mercedes in the past, and McLaren have shown, you can compete for wins in a few years.

The thing is, you need the right people and the right environment to be able to do it.

Sainz also rejected suggestions that he is defined more by hard work than natural ability.

It bothers me when things are oversimplified, he said. But it doesn't bother me that people think I'm a very hard worker.

In fact, it flatters me, and I prefer to be considered a good professional than a slacker.

(GMM)