Carlos Sainz Reflects on Adapting to Williams: “I Need to Pick Fights a Bit Better”

Carlos Sainz, the Spanish Formula 1 driver who joined Williams for the 2025 season, has admitted he needs to be more strategic in his on-track battles following a challenging start with his new team. The former Ferrari star, who secured four Grand Prix victories with the Scuderia, made the remarks after a race-ending collision with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda during the Bahrain Grand Prix, highlighting the adjustments required as he settles into life at the Grove-based squad.

Sainz’s transition to Williams has been anything but smooth. With just one point scored in the opening four races of the 2025 season—compared to teammate Alex Albon’s 18 points—retirements in Australia and Bahrain have hampered his progress. Reflecting on the incident in Bahrain, Sainz acknowledged that his aggressive approach may have cost him valuable points. “I need to pick fights a bit better,” he said, as reported by Formula1.com. “It’s normal that when you switch teams, it always takes a bit of trial and error, some good weekends and some off weekends.”

The move to Williams marked a significant shift for Sainz, who spent four seasons racing at the front of the grid with Ferrari. At Williams, he finds himself in the thick of the midfield battle, a dynamic that requires a different mindset and racing style. Despite the early setbacks, Sainz remains optimistic about his trajectory with the team. “You’ve seen everyone that has changed teams takes time, and we’re on the right path, taking my time a step at a time and having good and bad weekends but heading in the right direction,” he added.

Williams, a team with a storied history but recent struggles, has shown signs of improvement under the leadership of team principal James Vowles. Alex Albon’s consistent performances have kept the team competitive in the midfield, and Sainz’s experience is expected to bolster their efforts as the season progresses. However, the Spaniard’s adaptation to the FW47 car and the team’s operational style remains a work in progress.

The Bahrain incident with Tsunoda, which forced Sainz to retire from the race, underscored the fine margins in Formula 1’s tightly contested midfield. While Sainz has a reputation for being a tenacious and calculated driver, he admitted that choosing when to engage in on-track duels will be key to maximizing his results with Williams. “It’s about learning how to manage those moments better,” he noted.

Sainz is focused on turning his season around. With a long campaign ahead, the 30-year-old is determined to leverage his experience to help Williams climb the constructors’ standings while refining his approach to racing in the midfield. “We’re taking it one step at a time,” Sainz concluded. “I’m confident we’ll get there.”