Carlos Sainz has discussed his "excited tension" for the upcoming Formula 1 regulation changes in 2026.
2026 brings in a wave of new regulations to the championship, which will see smaller and lighter cars powered by a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electric power.
"Yes, but I am also... I don't know what the word is. Excited tension. Excited worry. But obviously, I have no doubt that I will adapt and I will find a way," the Spanish driver explained to his team-mate Alex Albon during the Williams Team Torque podcast.
"But I'm already thinking what parts of my driving style are going to suit next year's car. And what parts I think I'm going to need to work on. Whenever I drive that simulator, I'm already thinking ahead: Where am I going to be strong? Where am I going to be weak? So it's an excitement but also with certain tension."
Albon responded: "Yes. I think next year, a lot of that tension comes from the unknown. It's not a normal year. There's a lot more to it than just the driving side. There's also the efficiency side of your driving as well.
"And I think that's another layer than no one really knows if their driving [will suit the regulations]. I think for some drivers, it will naturally work for them better than others. It will be interesting to see."
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images
Sainz joined Williams ahead of the 2025 season after being replaced by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. While the Grove outfit was mainly working on building for a jump in performance in 2026, Sainz brought in two podium finishes at the Azerbaijan and Qatar grands prix - the first of which came under James Vowles's leadership.
As a result of Sainz's 64 points and Albon's 73 points, the team finished fifth in the constructors' standings, which Vowles described as a "dream come true".
"Finally, fifth would have been a dream come true just 12 months ago when we were languishing in ninth in the constructors' championship. Thank you very much," the team chief said after the Qatar Grand Prix.
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