Carlos Sainz is trying to set the tone for the rest of 2024. He recently scored an unexpected P5 in Zandvoort and now needs to defend his Monza podium. The past few months have been tough. A sudden drop in performance and pressure to choose a new team has weighed on him. Even Red Bull and Mercedes passed on him for 2025, which was disappointing. Now, Carlos has only one option left: to move ahead.

Sainz’s bold move to Williams has remained the talk of the town. Very few drivers have excelled in a mid-tier team coming from a top team. However, given the legacy of the Wantage-based team, they may have a lot to offer in the future. But most experts have been skeptical. Some said Carlos Sainz shouldn’t ‘waste’ his talent and others called it a strictly poor decision. Former F1 driver David Coulthard suggested the Spaniard remain in Ferrari as their reserve. Some indicated that Sainz shouldn’t leave out the Prancing Horse for the future. And it looks like all the suggestions have led to one decision.

With just eight races left, Chilli must buckle up. Sorting his priorities and setting a goal for the future should also be on the list. Speaking with DAZN, Sainz shared he has built a great relationship with Charles Leclerc, team principal Fred Vasseur, the Tifosi, and others. Moreover, there is no way he can so easily shut all doors for Ferrari. “You can never close the door on a team like Ferrari, bearing in mind that I still have five or ten years of racing left,” stated Carlos Sainz. All the advice and suggestions have surely reached the 29-year-old.

As per rumors, Sainz has a special clause in his contract with Williams. This suggests he could leave the team even before driving for them if either of the top teams approaches. However, James Vowles blatantly denied such facts and ensured Carlos was clearly there at his will. Yet, this transfer didn’t convince Peter Windsor.

He finds it hard to believe that a three-time Grand Prix winner is ready to drag himself to the back of the grid.

F1 pundit thinks Williams is not the solution for Carlos Sainz’s problems

Carlos Sainz needs a fast car that can help him prove his skills. The F1 community isn’t ignorant about the tactical brilliance Sainz brings to the table. More importantly, his decision to go to Williams as once pointed out, by the experts, was a sign that he’s practically given up on all the hopes. Red Bull might never ask Sainz to walk into their garage as long as Max Verstappen sits in their car.

On the other hand, Mercedes has allegedly appointed a replacement for Lewis Hamilton. The teams that approached Carlos, namely, Alpine and Audi, have poor prospects for the future. Hence the only hope- Williams.

However, Ferrari’s former boss, Peter Windsor, doesn’t comply with this train of thought. He believes Sainz is capable of getting a seat in the top teams. He has proved himself to be a smooth operator, time and again, even in the toughest situations.

Windsor commented: “That’s not disrespecting Williams but we want to see Carlos Sainz in a Merc or a Red Bull or a – well, I do anyway- or back at Ferrari even. So a lot of pressure on him and he did a good job but didn’t, like Lewis, didn’t get through into Q3, because it’s that sort of circuit.” Zandvoort was tricky. Even the best of the best Hamilton was out from Q2, so criticizing Sainz for being evicted at P11 won’t be the best idea.

Moreover, Carlos Sainz’s colossal overtakes and mindful driving pulled him to P5 in the race, thus securing 10 crucial points for the team. Truly, Williams might not be the best option for the Spaniard. The team’s faulty cars and upgrades, added to the financial crunch, which has sent them off the grid. And 2025 looks equally bleak for James Vowles.

However, 2026 could see the redemption of the once-phenomenal Williams. With Mercedes’ Power Unit, the team could find themselves in the middle of the grid, if not on the top. But the question is, can Carlos Sainz make peace with this fact? What do you think?