Carlos Sainz said he \u201ccannot wait\u201d to have a say on the finer details on Williams\u2019 F1 2026 challenger, but believes the team\u2019s power unit could be a \u201chuge thing\u201d in terms of a performance differentiator.<\/p>\n
Williams has a long-running customer power unit deal with Mercedes, with team principal James Vowles having been a longtime senior staff member with the Silver Arrows before taking on his role with Williams.<\/p>\n
Carlos Sainz \u2018cannot wait to have an influence\u2019 on Williams\u2019 F1 2026 car<\/p>\n
Formula 1 is heading towards all-new regulations next season, with brand new power units and chassis coming to the grid in an enormous change for the entire field.<\/p>\n
In what will be his sophomore season as a Williams driver, too, Sainz pointed out the importance that having the right power unit could have as work continues at pace to get cars ready for next season.<\/p>\n
More than that, though, it will be the first time the 31-year-old has a say in the overall direction Williams will take with a new car, which gives plenty of potential for him and Alex Albon to have their input.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst of all, I cannot wait to also have an influence on the design of the car,\u201d Sainz told PlanetF1.com and other media in Abu Dhabi. \u201cThe setup philosophy, and the direction that the car can take into next year, and to make the drivers feel a bit more comfortable or a bit more at ease from the get go.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the baseline of the car that we put on track, I think we can do steps forward already on that side, but I think once the season starts, I think the driver is going to have more of an influence on software development with HPP [High Performance Powertrains], in this case, Mercedes.<\/p>\n
More on F1 power units in 2026<\/p>\n
Imminent Audi F1 milestone with F1 2026 engine set to burst into life<\/a><\/p>\n Explained: What are F1\u2019s current power unit engine rules?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI think the power unit is going to be a huge thing, and I think having two experienced drivers like Alex [Albon] and I think, in that sense, could help.<\/p>\n \u201cThen when it comes to setup development, it\u2019s more keep doing what we\u2019ve done this year, and just have the effect of before the year, before we put the car on track, and then having the effect of during the year, how to make the car quicker.\u201d<\/p>\n