Carlos Sainz enjoyed a productive first pre-season test for Williams after making a move from Ferrari over the winter.
The Spaniard actually wound up setting the fastest time of testing for Williams, outlining their potential and clear pace heading into 2025.
It was encouraging enough to consider that Sainz may still be in contention for podiums at the odd race this season – something his team haven’t achieved since 2017.
There’s a good chance that they will be able to compete for a better standing in the constructors’ championship too.
Sainz called Alex Albon ‘perfect’ at Williams and has been getting on well with his new teammate ahead of the start of the 2025 campaign.
It’s their job to help the team return to the front of the Formula 1 pack after decades away, and they’re trending in the right direction so far.
Carlos Sainz reveals everything felt ‘really weird’ after driving a Williams F1 car for the first time
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix is just weeks away, and although the Grove-based outfit has made progress, it’s unlikely to be enough for Sainz to replicate what he managed last year.
Returning from a gruelling appendicitis operation, he managed to win and remind everyone why he is deserving of a top seat in the sport.
Ted Kravitz spotted something interesting in Sainz’s Williams garage, with his father allowed to be a bit more present. Sainz Snr may be able to be more present from now on.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz found one 2024 F1 moment even ‘harder’ than losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton
Speaking to Kravitz about his transition to a new team, Sainz explained what was ‘really weird’ about climbing into a new cockpit.
“The first 10 laps in Abu Dhabi when I tried it, everything felt completely different and really weird because you’re used to different noises, different vibrations, throttle applications, engine braking,” he said.
“Everything is completely different, but then I think it’s a Formula 1 driver thing. You just adapt, as soon as you do 10 laps, you just know what’s going on and you get used to it. You forget about it.”
What can Carlos Sainz at Williams aim for at the Australian Grand Prix?
It’s hard to set expectations given the unpredictable nature of Formula 1’s midfield, but Williams will be in the mix for points at most races this season.
Taking another step forward means that they may even be able to spend less time developing this year’s car and put more attention towards the 2026 F1 regulations.
READ MORE: David Croft loves what Carlos Sainz told him about Williams in private F1 paddock conversation
They expect to be frequent contenders at some stage in the future and they now possess the best driver line-up they’ve had for nearly 10 years.
Team boss James Vowles is leading a true resurgence and the decision to appoint him as team principal looks to be a masterstroke by the day.
