Carlos Sainz Expresses Major Concerns for Williams at Qatar Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz has expressed significant concern that the Qatar Grand Prix will be one of the most challenging races for Williams, citing the team's struggles in medium and high-speed corners. The Lusail International Circuit, dominated by these types of turns, is expected to expose a key weakness in their car, potentially hindering their goal of securing fifth in the constructors' standings. Despite the anticipated difficulties, Sainz sees it as a crucial learning opportunity for future development.
Carlos Sainz has voiced significant apprehension that the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix could prove to be "the most or one of the most" challenging races of the season for Williams. The team currently holds a strong fifth place in the constructors' standings heading into the penultimate round of the 2025 F1 season.
Why it matters:
Williams's strong position in the constructors' standings is a testament to their improved performance, but a poor showing in Qatar could jeopardize their ability to secure fifth place early. Sainz's concerns highlight a fundamental weakness in the car's design, which, if not addressed, could impede their progress in future seasons.
The Details:
- Cornering Weakness: Sainz specifically pointed to Williams's consistent struggles in medium to high-speed corners (150 to 200 km/h, fourth, fifth, and sixth gear). This specific speed range is where the team consistently registers as one of the slowest on the grid.
- Track Characteristics: The Lusail International Circuit in Qatar is predominantly composed of these challenging medium and high-speed corners, making it a potentially difficult venue for Williams.
- Data Analysis: Sainz noted that GPS data from various tracks consistently shows Williams's car underperforming in these types of corners.
- Opportunity for Learning: Despite the anticipated difficulties, Sainz views the Qatar Grand Prix as a crucial opportunity for the team to understand the car's inherent weaknesses in these cornering conditions and to gather data that can inform future development.
- He emphasized the importance of trying to "execute a good weekend in a difficult track" to maximize learning, even if a strong result is unlikely.
What's next:
Williams will need to find a "magical" setup to alleviate their cornering woes in Qatar, or they face a tough weekend. The insights gained, however, will be invaluable as they look to the 2026 season and beyond, where addressing these fundamental car characteristics will be key to sustaining their upward trajectory in Formula 1.