In a gripping and controversial turn of events during the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz of Williams has opened up about operational mistakes that marred his race, particularly highlighting a communication mix-up that left him feeling frustrated and undermined. Sainz, who started the race on used tires due to a team error, found himself battling not only his competitors but also the fallout from a confusing team directive that allowed teammate Alexander Albon to overtake him.
From the outset, Sainz was at a disadvantage. The Spaniard had to contend with beginning the race on older tires while his rivals were fitted with fresh rubber. "First of all, due to some operational mistakes during the weekend, we were forced to start on a used tire from qualifying while everyone around me was on a new," Sainz explained. "I knew it was already going to put us in the back foot, losing a couple of tenths per lap in the first [stint] in new versus used."
Despite these setbacks, Sainz managed to initially clear Albon at the start. However, contact with his teammate early in the race caused damage to his car's floor, which ultimately hindered his performance. Sainz recounted, "I picked up damage at the start with Alex. Then he made a mistake. I managed to pass him, then they told us that we were going to freeze positions. Then, I don’t know if he got the message or not, but basically, he overtook me back." This miscommunication between the drivers and their engineers would prove costly for Sainz.
As the race progressed, Sainz struggled to maintain his position. Albon, benefiting from a clearer strategy and a more competitive car, finished fifth, while Sainz could only manage ninth. "I just tried to do everything to stay in contact with that group, holding on Charles behind with a used tire and damaged car," he said. The situation became even more complicated when a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period allowed other drivers to pit without losing time, further putting Sainz at a disadvantage.
In the closing laps, Sainz attempted to reclaim some lost ground by challenging Lewis Hamilton. However, he ultimately failed to overtake the seven-time world champion. "Last lap, I obviously went for it as I saw a gap and went for it. I think he reacted a bit to my move, it caught him a bit by surprise," Sainz noted. Despite his best efforts, Sainz's damaged car could not keep up with Hamilton's pace.
Post-race, Sainz expressed his discontent over the team’s handling of the situation. He stated over the radio, "That's not how I go racing, guys," indicating that he felt misled by the team's instructions. He was particularly upset about the lack of clarity surrounding the team orders, which left him feeling that he had been made to "look stupid" during the race. "I've lost a lot of confidence here, on everything," he added.
James Vowles, the team principal of Williams, stepped in to address the situation, clarifying that Albon was not at fault for the incident. Vowles explained, "A message was communicated to both race engineers, effectively that Alex had a reliability problem and we needed to get some air into the radiators. However, that message wasn't clear in its construct." He acknowledged that the instructions given to Sainz and Albon were contradictory and poorly communicated, leading to the confusion on track.
Vowles assured fans and Sainz that the team would learn from this incident, promising, "It simply won’t happen again." He emphasized the importance of tightening up communication protocols to prevent such misunderstandings in the future. "This isn’t Alex going against team orders, this is on us as a team as an organization to significantly tighten up how we communicate to the engineers and how quickly we communicate to the drivers," Vowles stated.
Despite the tension, Sainz remains optimistic about moving forward. "We’ll talk about it. I’m sure we’ll come out of it better as a team, and we will move on," he concluded. His commitment to teamwork is commendable, especially in light of the frustrations he faced during the race.
The Miami GP, held on May 9, 2025, not only showcased the thrilling competition on the track but also highlighted the critical importance of clear communication within Formula 1 teams. As Sainz and Albon navigate the aftermath of this race, all eyes will be on Williams to see how they address these internal challenges in future races.
Fans can catch the highlights of the race, including the moments between Sainz and Albon, as well as the intense battles Sainz faced with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, through various media links provided by Formula 1.