Spanish Driver Carlos Sainz Discusses Adaptation Process in New F1 Car

After four years with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has joined forces with Williams and is currently adjusting to his new Formula 1 vehicle. In the opening races of the season in Australia and China, Sainz has had two relatively quiet weekends, but managed to secure his first point of the campaign in Shanghai following disqualifications by others.

Sainz’s Struggles with One-Lap Performance

A significant portion of Sainz’s performance deficit compared to teammate Alex Albon, who has already amassed 16 points, is due to his difficulty in maximizing the potential of the Williams during one lap, particularly in qualifying where he trails behind Albon.

Sainz attributes much of this struggle to unlearning years of muscle memory developed while driving vastly different Ferraris, which necessitates a change in driving style to extract the most from the Williams.

The Challenge of Changing Driving Styles

Speaking in Japan, Sainz explained that he was accustomed to a specific type of car at Ferrari, leading him to adapt his driving technique to get the best out of that vehicle. However, this approach may not work for all corners, making him weaker in certain areas.

Sainz plans to experiment with different driving styles and make adjustments to the car setup to see if they yield positive results. If not, he is prepared to go back to the drawing board and try new approaches until he finds the optimal lap time.

Embracing the Challenge of Adaptation

Sainz acknowledges that having to fight his instincts and change his driving style once more at his fifth F1 team presents a significant challenge, but one he is eager to face.

From a driver’s perspective, relearning how to approach corners due to muscle memory is the most substantial challenge, especially under pressure in qualifying. This process requires time, effort, and mental focus, but Sainz has always relished such challenges throughout his career.

The Timeline for Full Adaptation

When asked about the timeline for reaching 100% adaptation, Sainz offered a philosophical response, stating that it depends on how far away the new driving style is from his natural one and what he considers as being fully adapted.

If full adaptation means performing at a high level in Formula 1, Sainz aims to achieve this within five to ten races, well before the summer break.