Mar.24 (GMM) Carlos Sainz is leaving Shanghai scratching his head about “one of the strangest drops in performance I’ve had in my career”.
Having lost his Ferrari race seat and accepted a backwards step down the grid, the 30-year-old Spaniard actually impressed in his new Williams early on.
He crashed in the opening moments of the treacherous season opener in Australia, and so Shanghai sprint and main races ultimately came as a big shock to Sainz.
“I’m a bit confused,” the four-time grand prix winner told DAZN.
“I was very fast in the (2024) Abu Dhabi tests, I was very fast in Bahrain, and for some reason, all the pace I had in the tests has vanished in one fell swoop in this first real race with the team,” Sainz said in China on Sunday.
“There is a lot to analyse and we need these ten days to analyse everything calmly to see what we can do better,” he added, referring to the short gap now separating Shanghai from the opening of proceedings at Suzuka.
“Ten days are enough, I’m sure we’ll find something and come back stronger. But here, we’ve been going very slowly,” Sainz admitted.
Worse still for Sainz, teammate Alex Albon is not having his specific problems.
“From yesterday (Saturday) to today, we changed the setup of both cars a lot, and it worked for Alex and he was able to finish in the points,” said the Spaniard. “For me, I continued to struggle a lot with the front graining, opening up the tyres a lot on both the medium and hard tyres, and I haven’t been going fast, so there’s a lot to analyse.
“This was my first real test with the car, and clearly it didn’t work out.”
He tipped Williams to find a quick solution, noting that while Haas officials were downbeat about a “fundamental” problem with their car after Australia, “suddenly, a bit like last year, they seem to have improved a lot”.
Haas recruit Esteban Ocon confirmed how suddenly the small American team found the solution to its alarming earlier problem.
“Everyone is happy,” he told Canal Plus. “We managed to turn the situation around in a week. It shows that we know where we’re going.”
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2025 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas at the Circuit of the Americas - one of the world's finest racing circuits. This year's event features one of six Sprint races on the F1 schedule. Grand Prix Tours offers a fully appointed, personally tailored race experience for passionate enthusiasts at what has become a great American tradition and another anticipated sold-out event.
SHOW PACKAGES
The Indianapolis 500 is an American tradition, and the 2026 race marks the 110th year of this historic event. Guests of Grand Prix Tours will enjoy premium accommodations, options for exclusive suite access, and unforgettable race-day experiences, including a police escort to the track. Highlights include visits to the newly renovated Indy 500 Museum, Gasoline Alley, and the Dallara IndyCar Factory, plus patriotic pre-race festivities like the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana.” Join us for our 41st trip to the legendary Indy 500!
SHOW PACKAGES
The Monaco Grand Prix, often called the crown jewel of Formula 1, is one of the most prestigious races in the world and part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indy 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. Starting in 2026, the race will move from May to June to better align with the F1 schedule, placing the Canadian Grand Prix earlier in the season. Grand Prix Tours has taken care of all of the details and has arranged an amazing motorsports vacation. Call 949 719 3350 to book your trip or to contact us with any questions.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES