Williams risk copying Robert Kubica’s heartbreaking BMW Sauber situation if Carlos Sainz’s 2025 pleas are not answered

Carlos Sainz has endured a difficult start to life at Williams. However, his potential with the team, short and long-term, is extremely high.

The Spaniard joined from Ferrari over the winter in what was a major coup for Williams. Partnering with Alex Albon, the four-time race winner gave the team two leaders to guide them in their mission to return to the front of F1.

Many expected Sainz to outperform his teammate in 2025, given his predecessors’ lack of experience. David Coulthard felt 2025 was ‘make or break’ for Albon, but thus far, the Thai driver has the upper hand.

The 28-year-old has scored points in all but one race, while Sainz has amassed just seven from the opening six races. Nevertheless, he has played a vital part in Williams’ progression, with them almost doubling their 2024 points tally already.

Williams are solely focused on 2026, abandoning their 2025 car to focus long-term as the new regulations could see them become a frontrunner in the next couple of seasons. While the drivers have accepted this decision, Sainz sees the strong potential of the FW47.

This was evidenced at the Miami GP, as Williams had stronger outright pace than Ferrari and even Mercedes at one stage. They are keeping up with the big teams now, prompting pleas from Sainz to put some focus on this season’s car.

Williams risk Robert Kubica BMW heartbreak if they ignore Carlos Sainz’s pleas about their 2025 car

Team principal James Vowles is optimistic about the 2026 regulations and the potential they have to propel Williams back to the front after years as a backmarker. However, a change to the rules could also bring regression, as seen with BMW at the end of the 2000s.

Robert Kubica was a driver with high potential in F1 and was leading the 2008 championship after his maiden – and only – win at the Canadian GP. With revolutionary regulations coming in 2009, BMW shifted focus to that season, leaving the Pole dissatisfied.

Kubica would finish the 2008 season fourth, failing to capitalise on his championship lead, and would fall backwards in 2009 as BMW struggled to compete. Williams could risk a similar situation with Sainz in 2025.

Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm says the Spaniard is behind the team’s decision to focus on 2026 as much as his ‘competitive impatience allows’. If Williams cannot capitalise on their performance now, they may not see the full potential of their new signing.

“So, this was at the very peak of what the car is capable of. Still, 2025 signing Carlos Sainz reckons the baseline car is so good, Williams could actually close the gap to the front even further this year if it developed in the right areas.

“Sainz says that seeing such a small gap makes him want Williams to chase the lap time as soon as it can.

“He’s adamant that a very big step would be possible if this car was put in the wind tunnel and the team prioritised two or three areas he knows from his Ferrari days carry a lot of potential.

“Unfortunately, that’s not the plan. Team boss James Vowles has made it very clear he is willing to sacrifice this year to get the future right, given the massive rules overhaul coming in 2026 is a great chance to leap up the pecking order and will define several seasons to come.

“And the drivers are behind that, as much as their inherent, competitive impatience allows.”

Carlos Sainz is already feeling frustrated at Williams

While there is excitement surrounding the team and their future prospects, Williams are seeing performance in 2025 that could see them compete with the top four outfits. They simply must look at developing the FW47 in some capacity or risk Sainz not fulfilling his potential.

The Spaniard has struggled in comparison to his teammate as he is still adapting his driving style from Ferrari to the Williams. Albon outperforming him has led to frustration, notably in Miami.

The Thai driver passed Sainz against team orders during the race as he finished fifth, with the Spaniard ninth. Albon says miscommunication over the radio led to him overtaking his teammate, but Sainz’s anger was made abundantly clear.

Claiming he had lost ‘confidence’ in the team over the ordeal, Williams risk ‘tension’ between Albon and Sainz if they cannot communicate properly during race weekends Vowles must act fast to fix the problem and snuff out any further frustrations after such an encouraging start to 2025.