Carlos Sainz‘s debut with Williams has brought a renewed sense of optimism as he shared his early impressions of the FW47 F1 car after the first day of pre-season testing. Describing it as a “positive first day,” Sainz acknowledged that while the foundation of the car is promising, further adjustments are needed to refine its balance before testing wraps up on February 28.
Carlos Sainz Optimistic About Williams FW47 After Productive Pre-Season Testing
With just two weeks to go before the season opener in Australia, the team is focused on maximizing the car’s potential. Teammate Alex Albon echoed a similar sentiment, recognizing that although the FW47 shows promise, there are aspects that require attention.
“Overall, it was a positive first day for the team, especially given some of the track stoppages we had with the blackout.
“We managed to complete the run plan, and we got in a lot of laps, which is always the main target of the first day.
Under the leadership of team principal James Vowles, Williams is making significant strides to compete with the top-tier teams in Formula 1. The team’s bold vision is fueled by strategic improvements across various departments, aiming for a competitive edge in the upcoming seasons. The addition of Carlos Sainz to the driver lineup has brought a fresh perspective, largely due to his extensive experience with teams like McLaren and Ferrari. His recent stint with Ferrari saw the team narrowly miss out on the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, which speaks volumes about his capability to contribute to Williams’ resurgence.
Sainz’s insights are already making an impact. Dave Robson, Williams’ chief engineer, acknowledged that Sainz’s feedback after the post-season test in Abu Dhabi confirmed the team’s development trajectory. As Sainz reflected on his first day of testing, he noted, “First impressions are positive, but obviously between now and the next couple of days, we’ll try to improve the balance of the car in both short and long runs.” His input is crucial as the team continues to fine-tune the FW47.
The second day of testing in Bahrain further boosted Sainz’s confidence as he topped the timesheets and completed an impressive 127 laps, the highest lap count of the day. Unlike other teams that rotated drivers between sessions, Williams chose to keep Sainz behind the wheel for the entire day, allowing him to gain more in-depth insights into the car’s performance. His consistent feedback is expected to play a vital role in the team’s ongoing development process.
Also Read: “Maybe I am deaf”: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen reacts to booing at London F1 event amid ‘Boycott’ talks
As Williams gears up for the 2025 season, the combination of strategic leadership under James Vowles and the experienced insights from Carlos Sainz provides a promising outlook. With a positive start to pre-season testing, the team seems poised to challenge its rivals and make significant strides on the grid.
