Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in
Carlos Sainz

Williams announce late Carlos Sainz change as pit lane start for sprint confirmed

Carlos Sainz will start the sprint at the São Paulo Grand Prix from the pit lane, Williams has confirmed.

Sainz Fri Brazil
Article
To news overview © XPBimages

Carlos Sainz will start the sprint at the São Paulo Grand Prix from the pit lane after Williams decided to "assess alternative set-up options" for the rest of the weekend at Interlagos.

The Spanish driver was due to start P20 and last on the grid following a dismal sprint qualifying session in Brazil, where he chastised his team for its "execution" at the end of SQ1.

With qualifying scheduled for later in the day, it will provide the four-time grand prix winner the opportunity to refine the set-up of his FW47, as the Grove-based squad looks to further shore up its handle on fifth in the F1 constructors' championship.

The 31-year-old missed media day on Thursday after suffering from illness, and his weekend has not improved thus far.

Team-mate Alex Albon was knocked out in SQ2 and will line up for the one-third distance race in P12.

Join the conversation!

Never miss a thing from the Formula 1 season! Add the 2026 F1 schedule to your calendar at the touch of a button. Subscribe below and put the dates and times of every race directly on your PC or smartphone, so you don't miss a second from the new season.

Download the F1 calendar Download the F1 calendar

A variant with just the race and qualifying is also available.
Click here to download it..

F1 calendar 2026
Race Date
aus GP Australië 08 Mar 2026
chn GP China 15 Mar 2026
jpn GP Japan 29 Mar 2026
bhr GP Bahrein 12 Apr 2026
sau GP Saoedi-Arabië 19 Apr 2026
usa GP Miami 03 May 2026
Full calendar
x
LATEST Daniel Ricciardo 'world champion' claim made by former boss Christian Horner