Carlos Sainz has expressed his disappointment regarding his absence from the Barcelona shakedown, yet he reassures that his trust in the Williams team remains intact.
The Williams squad opted to forgo the private testing session at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya due to unforeseen delays in the FW48 development schedule.
“It’s definitely frustrating. I’m not going to pretend otherwise; I would have liked to have been in Barcelona to take advantage of those three days and gain an early edge,” Sainz remarked during a media briefing in Bahrain.
He added, “Initially, that was the plan, but we encountered some unexpected challenges over the winter as a team, forcing us to adapt our strategy and do the best we could with the available resources. We showed up in Bahrain and managed to have a smooth day like yesterday.”
Despite the setbacks, Sainz noted, “At least we have a valid reason for our decision, and now we are functioning smoothly while working to close the gap with our competitors.”
Confidence Remains Unshaken
When probed about whether the delays had shaken his confidence, the Spanish racer clarified, “I wouldn’t say my confidence has been impacted. Instead, it’s more about understanding that there are still numerous areas that require improvement, even after finishing last season as podium contenders and securing fifth in the championship.”
Sainz emphasized that the team has not reached the desired level when compared to leading teams, particularly regarding their winter preparations and adaptation to regulatory changes.
“We recognize that there is significant room for advancement in various aspects, and I was aware of this when I joined Williams. My aim is to contribute positively in every possible way,” he stated.
Looking Ahead
The Williams team is currently in Bahrain for the initial week of pre-season testing, with another three-day session scheduled for the following week. This preparatory phase comes just ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, set to take place from March 6 to March 8.
