Overview

• Since leaving Ferrari, Sainz has lifted Williams to fifth in the constructors’ standings and has outqualified Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes on several occasions.
• Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has humbled Williams since 2021 with no Q3 appearances and 18th and 20th finishes in 2024.
• Sainz expects a ninth or tenth-place finish and draws energy from the support of his local fans at his first home Grand Prix with Williams.
• FIA’s new Article 3.15.4 mandates stiffer front wings but, according to Sainz, should cost teams less than a tenth of a second per lap.
• Under James Vowles’s leadership, Williams has refined its strategy and car setup to turn enhanced speed into consistent qualifying performance.