Carlos Sainz’s transition from Ferrari to Williams was expected to be a culture shock, but the Spaniard has been left pleasantly surprised after his first run in the FW46. What was expected to be a stark downgrade turned out to be a far more competitive ride than anticipated.
Sainz’s Unexpected Discovery: Williams Isn’t That Far Behind
Sainz, fresh off a strong campaign with Ferrari, was granted an early release by the Scuderia to participate in Williams’ 2024 post-season test in Abu Dhabi. Having finished second in his final race for Ferrari, he came into the test armed with data from one of the grid’s most competitive cars.
Yet, once he hit the track in Williams’ FW46, he found something unexpected:
“I found a car that was honestly a bit better than I thought, or better than I expected.”
While the FW46 naturally had deficiencies compared to Ferrari’s SF-24, Sainz realized that the gap wasn’t as extreme as many assumed.
“You can tell the midfield has caught up a lot with the top teams, and that’s why in Abu Dhabi Qualifying 1, we were all within half a second of one another. Over a full lap, that’s just half a tenth per corner.”
The revelation underscores how close modern F1 competition has become, with midfield teams like Williams narrowing the gap to the frontrunners.
A Motivated Williams Team Gives Sainz New Hope
Aside from the surprising performance of the car, Sainz was equally impressed by the team’s hunger and enthusiasm. Despite Williams enduring a tough 2024 season, where they finished ninth in the Constructors’ standings, the atmosphere at the Abu Dhabi test felt far from deflated.
“I found a team full of motivation, full of energy. Not easy after a triple header. Normally, at the Abu Dhabi test, I see people just wanting to go home.”
For Sainz, this passion and work ethic could be the difference-maker heading into the 2025 season. With Bahrain’s season opener on the horizon, he believes the Abu Dhabi test provided vital data that will help Williams make key early improvements.
Is Williams on the Verge of a Comeback?
Sainz’s early impressions suggest that Williams may not be as far off the pace as many believe. While they struggled in 2024, his comments hint at a potential turnaround for the historic team.
With Sainz bringing race-winning experience and technical insight from Ferrari, Williams could be in for a stronger-than-expected 2025 campaign.
And if his test results are anything to go by, the gap between the midfield and the top teams might be closer than ever.
