In a challenging day that saw him finish 13th in the Sprint Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz has shared his struggle to adapt to his Williams Formula 1 car. Following his disappointing performance in the Australian Grand Prix, where he crash-landed on the very first lap, Sainz emphasized the difficulties he faced as he grappled with issues related to balance and comfort in the car.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, Sainz logged a time of 1:33.145 in Free Practice 1, putting him in 15th place after 26 laps. He qualified in 13th position with a best time of 1:32.325 in Sprint Qualifying, which followed a series of balance difficulties he encountered throughout the practice sessions. After making the cut into SQ1 with a time of 1:32.457, his quest for improvement in SQ2 was hindered, ultimately resulting in his placement for the Sprint race.
“It’s been a tough day up until now,” Sainz reflected post-qualifying. “We’re struggling with some balance problems, especially coming down to SQ2, not knowing exactly where to find the lap time and a bit of overdriving and a bit of a problem with the seat.”
Sainz’s teammate, Alex Albon, had a successful qualifying, reaching SQ3 and securing a ninth-place starting position for the Sprint. Albon expressed his contentment with his session but acknowledged the need for adjustments to enhance their performance at the Shanghai International Circuit.
Despite the struggles, Sainz remains optimistic about the upcoming Sprint race. He noted, “I still have to learn and understand many things about it, and I know, with more mileage, this will come. Hopefully, tomorrow we can put everything together and improve today’s result for Sunday.”
Albon has praised Sainz for his approach to the team and the atmosphere he has brought since joining Williams. He stated, “In terms of pure pace and driving, yes, it’s a different atmosphere within the team. We’re pushing each other, but I’m really enjoying it.” Albon has felt invigorated by Sainz’s performance expectations, saying that it has restored a focus on precision and perfection within the team's operations.
Williams Chief Engineer Dave Robson pointed out Sainz’s unfamiliarity with the FW47, especially under wet conditions, as a contributing factor to challenges faced during qualifying. Robson explained that Sainz’s crash during the Australian Grand Prix was due to the combination of a lack of wet practice sessions and the need to acclimatize to how the car behaves in different settings. He noted, “He [Sainz] will know how our car reacts in those conditions next time.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, March 22, the Sprint race is set to kick off at 11:00 local time (04:00 CET), followed by the main qualifying for the Grand Prix later that day. Sainz will be eager for a better performance and aims to contribute positively to Williams’ standing in the Constructors’ Championship.
Sainz concluded his thoughts ahead of the Sprint, saying, “We’re trying to find the balance of the car; it feels quite different with the wind and, I’m struggling to find lap time when it comes to qualifying.” Despite the difficulties, he’s hopeful that his ability to learn and adapt will yield a stronger showing come race day. The forthcoming races at Shanghai represent not only a critical juncture for Sainz but also a testament to his capacity for growth as he endeavors to carve his niche at Williams.
