Carlos Sainz Jr. sees better days ahead for Williams after ‘challenging’ 2026 start

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 21: Carlos Sainz of Spain and Williams arrives in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on May 21, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) | Getty Images Formula 1 is a sport that does not stay still, and challenges teams and drivers to adapt at unfathomable speeds both on and off the track. That is the test facing Carlos Sainz Jr.

and Williams as the grid embarks on this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. Williams hoped to start the year in a strong position , with a focus dating back to a season ago on the incoming regulation changes. But after some struggles to begin the year, the team arrived in Montreal sitting eighth in the standings, with just five points to show from four race weekends.

Still, there are signs of improvement at Williams, starting with the upgrades the team brought to the Miami Grand Prix at the start of the month. Those upgrades saw Sainz and teammate Alexander Albon both bring home points from Florida, and with more upgrades coming this week to Montreal, the team is trending in the right direction. Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, SB Nation caught up with Sainz over Microsoft Teams on Thursday to talk about the start to the season, the new site of the Spanish Grand Prix, and what will make 2026 a success for the team.

The 2026 season so far Even with the team’s success in Miami, Williams hoped to be further up the grid when the 2026 season began. Last year the team focused on the incoming regulation set, hoping to be on the front foot when the changes arrived. But as Sainz outlined as our conversation began, it has been a “challenging” start to the season for the team.