Carlos Sainz concedes mental 'worry' before agreeing fresh Williams deal

Carlos Sainz has conceded that he was "worried" before agreeing to renew his contract with Williams, due to wanting to ensure its current poor season is not replicated.

After a remarkable opening campaign with Williams last season, which saw the Spaniard feature on the podium, 2026 has been a staggering wake-up call.

Williams missed the pre-season shakedown in Barcelona and had a significant weight issue, hurting the Grove-based outfit throughout the year so far.

It has left Sainz frustrated and disappointed, having expected so much better from the start of the new power unit regulations, leading to speculation that he could depart.

However, ahead of this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, it was confirmed by the British outfit that Sainz had signed a new multi-year deal, with him not wanting to leave at the first obstacle.

Asked if he needed convincing to renew his Williams deal, Sainz told select media, including RacingNews365: "No, because in a way, I think you guys know me by now. I don't think it's part of my character to jump ships when the situation is also at its worst. 

"I think I told everyone also how committed I am to this project two years ago, how excited I was about it, and the first time there is a bump on the road, a big bump, probably bigger than anyone could have imagined after the podiums of last year. 

"I don't think it's part of me, my way of being, my character to jump ships at the first possible opportunity. So I think, in the back of my head, I always wanted to renew, but I was obviously worried, concerned that we need to make sure this doesn't happen again. 

"And I obviously had to go back to everyone and understand where we are, where we're planning to go, and how this has affected our plans."