Sainz honest on Williams 'turnaround' timeline despite double-points score at Miami GP

Carlos Sainz has admitted Williams may not achieve a "proper turnaround" until the final third of the 2026 season, despite a double-points finish at the Miami GP. The team's delayed start and overweight FW48 have hampered progress, with the Miami upgrade pack originally intended for the season opener.

Why it matters:

• Williams surprised in 2025 with a P5 constructors' finish and a podium for Sainz, but a slow start to 2026 has raised questions about sustainability. Sainz's honest timeline signals the recovery is a long-term project, not a quick fix.

The details:

• Double points in Miami: Sainz finished P9 (equaling his best of the season) alongside Alex Albon. However, Sainz downplayed the result, citing multiple safety car laps that influenced the outcome.
• Overweight car: The FW48 remains overweight. Sainz confirmed the Miami upgrade was actually the "race one" package delayed from Melbourne due to production issues.
• Upgrade impact: The package has shed some weight, bringing the car to midfield level. "We still know there’s a bit to go," said Sainz, with more updates planned for upcoming races.
• Turnaround timeline: "It’s going to take some months to finish the turnaround. I think we’re going to need to get to the last third of the season to see a proper turnaround," Sainz told GPblog.

What's next:

• Williams will continue shedding weight and introducing upgrades across the season. The aim is to return to 2025 form, but fans may need to wait until late 2026 for a genuine recovery. Sainz remains positive: "When you do things right, things start to come away a bit better."