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Guenther Steiner has told Carlos Sainz to ‘be ready’ to leave Williams for a top Formula 1 team after a difficult start to the 2026 season.
The Spaniard would have hoped for a strong start to the year after James Vowles opted to prioritise Williams’ development for the 2026 regulations over last season. Sainz was also full of confidence, having scored two podiums in the second half of 2025.
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However, the Grove outfit have been towards the back of the grid, with the team suffering a torrid pre-season. Williams have scored just two points thus far, coming from Sainz at the Chinese GP.
The FW46 is overweight and costing Sainz a second per lap. After so much hype at the end of 2025, as Williams focused on this year, it has all fallen flat in Grove, and it has left many wondering if Sainz regrets his decision to join them.
Guenther Steiner thinks Carlos Sainz should position himself to join a top F1 team
Sainz is not enjoying himself at Williams as the team have taken a huge step back under the new regulations. Speaking via SoyMotor, former Haas boss Steiner thinks the Spaniard needs to look at joining a top team and get back to the front of the grid.
“He had a good season last year, was on the podium a few times in a Williams, which is an achievement,” he said. “But obviously, being let go by Ferrari, that didn’t go down well with him because he did a good job there, he won races.
Guenther Steiner thinks Carlos Sainz should look to join a top F1 team
Who should he join if he leaves Williams?
“But again, he needs to put himself in a position that, should one of the big teams need a good driver again, he’s there and ready.
“Because for him to turn Williams around, obviously he can push but he has no control over it. They are a big team and obviously they try to do the best, but from where they were last year to get to where they are this year, it must be a big disappointment for Carlos.
“It isn’t easy for the driver to have a big influence on the team. That is James Vowles’ job, not Carlos, but I think Carlos should position himself to be ready to jump into a big seat again, as I call it.”
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Where could Carlos Sainz go if he decides to leave Williams?
Sainz’s contract expires in 2026, but there is the option to extend for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. If Williams’ woes continue, he may want to weigh up his options.
With rumours rife about Max Verstappen and his future in F1, a seat could open up at Red Bull for the Williams driver to return to their set-up.
Red Bull are more likely to sign Sainz over Charles Leclerc, with whom the team had contact back in 2025. It could be the perfect chance for him to lead the team, with Isack Hadjar alongside him.
David Croft has also talked up Sainz replacing Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. However, the team will need to dramatically improve, as they are doing far worse than Williams are in 2026.
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