Formula One is a sport of constant adaptation,where drivers must fine-tune their skills to match the unique characteristics of each car. For Carlos Sainz Jr., the 2025 season presents a important challenge: shedding the ingrained driving style honed over four years with Ferrari and embracing the nuances of the Williams F1 car. As the season progresses, the question on everyone’s mind, from European circuits to the living rooms of American F1 fans, is whether Sainz can successfully make this transition and close the gap with his teammate, Alexander Albon.

Sainz’s move to Williams places him alongside Albon, a driver who has already demonstrated a strong understanding of the car’s capabilities. While Sainz has secured his first point of the season following races in Australia and China, Albon has accumulated 16 points, highlighting the performance difference. A key area where Sainz is struggling is maximizing the car’s potential during qualifying, which puts him at a disadvantage against Albon.

The challenges Sainz faces resonate with American audiences familiar with other high-performance sports. Consider a NASCAR driver switching from a Toyota to a Ford; both are stock cars, but each has unique handling characteristics requiring adjustments in driving style. Similarly,an IndyCar driver moving from a Honda-powered team to a Chevrolet-powered team would face a similar learning curve. these transitions necessitate a recalibration of muscle memory and a deep understanding of the new machine.

The Ferrari Factor: Unlearning Old Habits

Sainz acknowledges the difficulty of adapting to a new car after years of driving a Ferrari. He stated in Japan, “Ferrari was used to certain types of machines, and especially after 2022, it had become a very special way of driving to get everything out of it.”

He elaborated that the unique driving style demanded by the Ferrari, while effective for that particular car, doesn’t necessarily translate to the Williams. “Driving is a bit quirky and that’s reflected in the next car. It can work in some corners, but it’s very weak in other corners. There’s probably a bit of that,and there’s also a bit of it in terms of setup and it makes me run the way I want.” This “quirkiness” requires Sainz to consciously overwrite his established muscle memory.

For American racing enthusiasts, this is akin to a drag racer accustomed to a supercharged engine needing to adjust to a turbocharged setup.The power delivery and optimal shift points are fundamentally different, demanding a significant alteration in technique.

Sainz is taking a methodical approach to overcome this hurdle. “I’m going to try out a few different elements of my driving and my machine setup and see if it effectively works. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go back to square one and try out a lot of stuff until I get better lap times.” His dedication to experimentation and willingness to start from scratch demonstrate a commitment to mastering the Williams car.

“From a driving perspective, the biggest challenge is to slowly relearn how to approach corners as you have a certain level of muscle memory. Especially under qualifying pressure, you tend to go back to your previous running style,”

Carlos Sainz Jr.

This statement highlights the mental fortitude required in Formula One. Under the immense pressure of qualifying,reverting to ingrained habits is a natural response. Overcoming this requires constant self-awareness and disciplined focus, traits essential for any top-tier athlete.

The Road Ahead: A Race Against Time

Sainz estimates that it could take five to ten races to fully adapt to the Williams car. While this timeframe might seem lengthy, it’s critically important to consider the complexities involved. Each track presents unique challenges, and mastering the car’s behavior in different conditions requires extensive experience.

He acknowledged that adapting to a fifth team and overcoming ingrained instincts is “the biggest challenge for the driver,” but also emphasized his enjoyment of the process. “It takes a lot of time, mental and driving effort, but I’ve always enjoyed it and I’ve overcome it throughout my career. I’ve driven five different cars and run under different regulations, but maybe two races aren’t enough to understand. There are fully different advantages and disadvantages from the ones I’ve been running for three years.”

Sainz’s positive attitude and past experience with adapting to different cars are promising signs. Though,the pressure to perform is ever-present in Formula One. As American football coaches frequently enough say, “You’re only as good as your last game.” Sainz will need to demonstrate continuous improvement to solidify his position within the team and the sport.

Summer Break Goal: Complete Adaptation

When asked about the timeline for reaching peak performance, Sainz offered a thoughtful response, aiming to be fully up to speed before the summer break. “It depends on how far you are from your true driving style and what you consider to be 100%.”

This statement reflects the subjective nature of “100%.” For Sainz, it likely represents a point where he feels completely comfortable and confident in his ability to extract the maximum performance from the Williams car in any situation. Reaching this level requires not only technical skill but also a deep understanding of the car’s behavior and a strong connection with the engineering team.

The summer break represents a crucial deadline. By that point, Sainz needs to be performing at a consistently high level to contribute to Williams’ championship aspirations. The team’s investment in him hinges on his ability to unlock the car’s potential and challenge not only his teammate but also the top drivers in the sport.