How Carlos Sainz brought the “missing” component to pursue Williams

Arrival of Carlos Sainz But Williams According to Sporting Director Swen Smates, only one game was provided more than promoting. Spaniard’s move for the team is allegedly impressing everything 2026 car developmentTo sponsor interest and even appeal to Williams Driver Academy.

Since Spaniard joined Williams, Smates spoke with praise, the way the size has integrated into the team so quickly.

“There is a great person to work with Carlos,” he told Motorsport.com. “They have made a major impact throughout the board – not only on the car and technical side, but also how the race team operates and how we are preparing for 2026.

“His experience in many teams and in the race-winning machinery has brought us something that we were still missing.”

While some adaptation was required at the beginning of the season, as by the steps of the spaniard Williams from Ferrari were not without their challengesSMEETS is optimistic about the remaining race in 2025.

“As he mentioned himself, he had to make a habit of visiting our car,” Smets explained.

“There is a big difference between our car and Ferrari. But it’s getting better and better now. He is actually working well. Alex albonWe are very happy, and I am expecting a strong second part of the season. ,

On track improvement

According to smeets, one of the concrete benefits of the arrival of Sainz is increased efficiency How the team operates,

“Both sides of the garage are now working at the same level – and more importantly they are working together,” Smates said.

“We are able to better divide the workloads during FP1 and FP2, and combine the knowledge gained to decide what the best way for the rest of the weekend is. It is extremely valuable for us.”

Smeets also highlighted the strong dynamic between Sanz and Albon.

“On the track, they are contestants, but in the garage it is about teamwork – to advance the team, improve the car and support the factory with its development. Now we have two drivers who are barely pushing the team, and they are doing so in the same direction that makes things a little easier.”

When the two drivers end up with the same car setup, Smets said, this is often an indication that the team is going in the right direction.

“We have found that if their setups are not far away, this is usually a good sign,” he explained. “If they go in different directions, it is not right.”

But Sainz has brought more than just speed for the team, he has also contributed to fresh ideas and insights, as Smets explained: “In the first six months, they have indicated a lot of things that we can do separately or better. There are some things that we can only apply next year, but many short-term benefits that we already have adopted.”

A practical example? “Preparing tires behind the garage – how you heat them and how you stack them,” Smets said.

“Some previous Karlos’s previous teams did a slightly different way in wet conditions. It is about small details, but they can achieve mixconds. And when they add it, it becomes tenth. It starts when it makes a difference.”

Off-track effect

The effect of Sainz is also felt away from the garage. Williams has seen a significant increase in fan engagement, business sales and sponsor interest since its arrival.

“We did a demo Run with Carlos in MadridHe expected 5,000 to 7,000 fans, but was shown by 25,000. This is one of our best goods sales days, ”said Smets.

Fan Zone which Williams has organized around some Grands Prix has also seen a rapid growth. “When we started, they attracted around 500 to 1,000 fans. But if you look at those numbers in Australia, Miami, Barcelona and London this year, they are now serious events in themselves,” Smates said.

Sanz is also proving to be a commercial property, as he said: “We now have a title sponsor, and also have strong interest from other parties. Two top driver definitely help.”

Even the Williams Driver Academy is indirectly benefiting from the presence of Sainz.

Smates said, “Their arrival underlines how seriously we are looking at in the future, and it helps in our conversation with young drivers and their management teams in a big way. Now we are more inquiring more than before,” it remains selective to the Williams program before adding.

“We want to focus our focus on a handful of talents – ideally per category. But Carlos has given a big boost to the entire project.”

With the arrival of Sainz, Williams has found a new speed – their presence proves a catalyst as the team sets its places when returning to the grid. Not only the team has achieved a fast and experienced driver, but there is someone whose work moral, technical response and reputation are helping to increase the entire operation. And, if you ask Smits, it is just the beginning.

He said, “We have taken a big step in every field with Carlos,” he explained. “And hopefully, we will continue to receive awards in the coming years.”