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Carlos Sainz casts doubt on Williams' Baku upgrades, suggests focus on 2027

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 4:38 PM

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

Carlos Sainz casts doubt on Williams' Baku upgrades, suggests focus on 2027

Summary

Carlos Sainz has criticized Williams’ current development efforts for the 2026 season, recommending the team redirect resources towards 2027. Despite Williams Team Principal James Vowles announcing new upgrades for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sainz believes they won't be sufficient to secure points. He pointed to Aston Martin's recent aerodynamic success as a benchmark. Williams has struggled with its FW48 car, which is overweight and has encountered production delays, hindering performance. Sainz's assessment amplifies the pressure on Williams' engineering team as they approach the Baku race in September.

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By the Numbers

•Carlos Sainz questions the effectiveness of Williams’ upcoming upgrades for Baku.
•Sainz suggests focusing on the 2027 season instead of the current year.
•Williams has been struggling with performance due to car issues and delays.
•The team is scheduled to unveil a new car package in Azerbaijan in September.
•Aston Martin's recent upgrades highlight potential for mid-season improvements.

Latest Updates

4:38 PMYahoo Sports — Carlos Sainz Writes Off Williams’ Upcoming Baku Upgrades: “Focus on 2027”

What they're saying

"
Carlos Sainz has delivered a blunt, pessimistic assessment of Williams’ struggling 2026 Formula 1 campaign, suggesting the team should completely abandon their current development cycle and shift their resources entirely toward next year. Despite Williams Team Principal James Vowles publicly…
— Yahoo Sports

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