Carlos Sainz celebrates his first podium with Williams. Photo: RacePictures

Red Bull targeted in rivalry claim, as 2026 PU's criticised yet again

18:24, 12 Oct

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byNorberto Mujica

Carlos Sainz believes Williams can go toe-to-toe aginst the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes.

In Formula 1, gaining four positions from one season to the next means that you are doing things right

- Carlos Sainz

Last season Williams finished in a lowly P9 in the Constructors' standings with a mere 17 points tally to their name.

Now the Grove-based team sit pretty in P5 holding a seemingly unsurmountable gap in the standings of 30 points over its closest pursuer Racing Bulls.

The change is telling, and Sainz makes note of it himself as well. Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, he said: "In Formula 1, gaining four positions from one season to the next means that you are doing things right."

"Starting to win races could be difficult, but I think we can be a team capable of fighting on an equal footing with Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull."

Carlos Sainz in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures

2026 engines handicapped by key battery draining issue

In 2026 F1 will undergo a complete technical regulations' overhaul, which will affect chassis, aerodynamics, fuel and tyres, but also power units as well.

Dropping the MGU-H as a second source of energy recovery, teams will have to meet the 50-50 power output ratio in the new engines from the MGU-K system alone.

Relying on one alternative power recovery sytem without suffering from a loss of power seems like an impossible feat at the moment.

"I think we will reach 300-320 km/h much faster. But then the battery drains very quickly at full throttle, 50% of the power will disappear halfway down the straight," Sainz concluded.

Carlos Sainz and Williams celebrate podium in Baku. Photo: RacePictures

Sainz has faith in Mercedes ahead of 2026

Reports have suggested most manufacturers are trying to adjust the power output ratio's dependance on the electric component to mitigate the battery draining issues they are apparently facing.

Only one manufacturer is reported to be against making any ammendments to the upcoming technical regulations: Mercedes. The German brand, Sainz recently said, were one of the main reasons he picked Williams as his post-Ferrari exit destination.

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