Carlos Sainz theorized that the change in the level of competitiveness and performance of Formula 1 drivers has been dictated by regulatory changes over time.
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For the 2026 season, F1 underwent a huge rule update, with changes to both the chassis and the engine, which moved races away from the ground effect and the power units now splitting 50% electric power and 50% internal combustion.
Therefore, for the Williams Spaniard, this transition brought a change in the order of strength for 2026. “Let’s start with one point: it has been impressive to see how much the performance balance between teammates has changed. Not only between Antonelli and Russell, but also between Hamilton and Leclerc, and with Verstappen not being as dominant over Hadjar,” he told Motorsport.com.
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“I think it is a lesson for everyone. We had confirmation that when the fundamental concept of a car changes, the competitive landscape can also change. It is something I have always believed: a car can fit you extremely well or be far from what you ideally want, but sooner or later, you need to adapt. It may take some time, but in the end, you have to find a way,” he continued.
“I have always thought that many results in Formula 1 were also favored by the combination of being in the right place at the right time. For many years, I believed there are cars that simply fit your driving style right from the first laps,” he added.
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