Sky Sports activities Components 1 commentator David Croft has dismissed paddock hypothesis that Carlos Sainz regrets his choice to affix Williams over Audi, regardless of the Grove outfit’s difficult begin to the 2026 season.
Williams has endured a troublesome opening half of the 12 months. Hindered by an chubby chassis, the staff has struggled to persistently problem for factors, leaving it eighth within the constructors’ championship with 11 factors.
Sainz joined Williams in 2025 after being changed at Ferrari by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Whereas he secured two podium finishes in his first season with Williams, 2026 has been far more difficult for the staff.Â
Croft firmly shot down the narrative that Sainz regretted his choice to affix Williams as a substitute of Audi throughout an look on the Sky Sports activities F1 Present.
“No, not likely. I do not assume he is regretting going,” Croft said when requested about Sainz’s present mindset.
“The grass may look just a little bit greener, however the digital security automotive timing helped Gabriel Bortoleto out massively in Sunday’s race. Williams [is aiming to have] the automotive shed weight by Baku and can be capable of problem. That is once we can actually decide Williams’ season from there on in.”
Regardless of the on-track frustrations, Croft pointed to the structural modifications at present happening underneath the management of staff principal James Vowles.
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Picture by: Alastair Staley / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
“It has been discouraging for them, however they’re nonetheless bringing good folks to the staff,” he added.
“It’s a huge turnaround that James Vowles has put in at Grove from the outdated days underneath Jost Capito and earlier than Dorilton. It was a staff that wanted to utterly rip up the rulebook and begin once more when it comes to the way in which they do issues. So, the long run might be wanting a bit brighter than the current.”
Audi has additionally not been with out its challenges in 2026.
“At Audi, they have all of the teething issues of a brand new energy unit producer and making an attempt to combine with a chassis division as properly,” Croft continued.
“They don’t seem to be precisely scoring the factors that Racing Bulls and Alpine are doing. So, he should not fear an excessive amount of.”
Audi sits ninth within the constructors’ championship, one level behind Williams.
Photographs from Hungarian GP – Thursday
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