Carlos Sainz urges Williams to emulate Aston Martin after Hungarian GP woes

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Williams driver Carlos Sainz qualified 18th and highlighted the team’s deep performance problems, including a rear‑gearbox anomaly that changes the car’s balance lap after lap. He said the car’s lack of down‑force and unpredictable handling make it “one of the most difficult balances I have ever experienced.”

Sainz pointed to Aston Martin’s rapid upgrade at the same circuit, noting that the team moved from the worst down‑force setup to the best in the midfield within a single weekend. “We should be able to do it too,” he told reporters, urging Williams to use the Aston Martin example as motivation rather than concern.

Looking ahead, Sainz expressed doubt that the planned Baku upgrade will be sufficient, describing it as “almost a completely new car” but added that further development will only come for next year’s chassis. He plans to assess his own future with Williams during the summer break and is aware that driver‑market dynamics are shifting.

In parallel, Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto announced a long‑term contract with the German manufacturer, casting doubt on Sainz’s prospects at Williams for the 2027 season. Bortoleto said, “My future is already sorted with Audi,” underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Sainz’s seat as Williams struggles to close the performance gap.

Overall, Sainz emphasized staying positive despite the challenges, while the team faces pressure to find solutions before the next season.