After months of openly criticizing the new F1 regulations, Carlos Sainz now believes that continuing the fight will bring nothing more in the short term.
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The Williams driver does not hide his dissatisfaction regarding certain aspects of the technical rules introduced this season.
At the end of the Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished ninth, the Spaniard acknowledged that the current situation was far from ideal.
Stop complaining
“In my opinion, there are still too many things that could be improved,” said Sainz. There is room for progress with what is proposed for next year regarding the engine and the regulations.”
But for 2026, he considers that the possibilities for correction are now limited: “For this season, I don’t think we can do much more. On my side, I have decided to stop complaining because it is clear that this season is not ideal and it will never really be. However, I am very optimistic for next year and for the changes that could come. “
For several months, Sainz has been among the most critical drivers regarding the new generation of power units. Even though several adjustments have already been introduced, notably after the Miami Grand Prix, the former Ferrari driver believes that significant improvements remain possible.
A battle simply postponed
However, he now prefers to let the debate take place within the governing bodies of the sport rather than in the public arena. The Spaniard continues to think that the FIA and the FOM (Formula One Management) must sometimes impose a clear direction when the general interest of the championship is at stake.
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“There is a Commission where the teams can vote and give their opinion,” recalls the representative of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association). It is there that I encourage the FIA and the FOM to remain firm and continue in the direction they consider correct.”
According to him, the sport’s leaders should not hesitate to make strong decisions even if they are not unanimous: “If they decide that a measure is good for Formula 1, then some teams that do not fully agree will simply have to adapt. Of course, everyone must be consulted, but when it comes to the good of the sport and the spectacle, I am in favor of the leaders taking a strong position.”
The problem comes from the engine, not the cars
Sainz also wanted to nuance the criticisms aimed at the 2026 cars as a whole. According to him, the new cars represent on the contrary a positive evolution compared to previous generations.
“All the drivers have been very clear on this point: the chassis and aerodynamics are not the problem,” he emphasizes. The cars are lighter, narrower, and shorter. They are more agile while maintaining a very interesting level of aerodynamic downforce. We enjoy driving them.”
For him, the main weakness today lies in the power unit: “What we mainly need is a better engine.”
This distinction is important because it shows that the drivers’ criticisms are not aimed at the entire 2026 concept but mainly at the current balance between the thermal engine and electric power.
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