Carlos Sainz to throw Williams progress 'in the bin' due to radical F1 changes

Carlos Sainz has explained why he will be forced to throw much of his progress with Williams in 2025 "in the bin."

The Spanish racer impressed last season following his switch from Ferrari, banking two podiums for the team in a resurgent year as it claimed fifth in the constructors.'

However, Sainz will not be able to take much of the knowledge he gained from adapting to the Williams forward into 2026 owing to the major regulation changes coming into force for next season. 

Despite this, he is still confident that an "unexpected big jump" is still possible as every team and driver will be faced with similar conditions heading into the new era of car, featuring active aerodynamics and new power units with increased electrical energy. 

"In a way, yes, because I've adapted my driving style to this car," Sainz exclusively told RacingNews365 when asked if there was any frustration at the major rule changes coming into force for 2026.

"Now I know how to execute good qualifyings, good races with this car, and suddenly, next season it is like changing teams again, because the car is going to feel completely new, completely raw to everyone. 

"So all the changes I've made to my driving style, to my tools from coming from Ferrari, they can all go in the bin.

"Everyone starts from scratch next year. In 2025, I was one of the only ones to start from scratch, and next year, 22 of us start from scratch, so there are various ways to see it. 

"I have strong confidence that if the regulations were stable, Williams and I would be able to make another good step, and keep closing that gap to the front, but I wouldn't believe that we would be able to fight for a lot more.

"The regulations change does offer you that possibility, for an unexpected big jump."