Williams sporting director Sven Smeets talks about the impact of signing Carlos Sainz: The Spaniard is not only important to the team in sporting terms
The signing of Carlos Sainz has proven to be much more than just a sporting gain for Williams. According to sporting director Sven Smeets, the experienced Spaniard has had a positive impact on almost every area of the Formula 1 team – from the development of the 2026 car and technical processes to sponsor interest and the attractiveness of the junior academy.
Smeets speaks with great appreciation about the Spaniard’s rapid integration: “Carlos is a fantastic person to work with,”
“He has not only made a big difference on the technical side, but also in the way the team works and in the preparations for 2026. His experience from several teams and winning material has given us something we may have been missing before,“ said Smeets.
Even though the start wasn’t easy – the switch from Ferrari to Williams brought with it some adjustments – Smeets is confident about the rest of the season: ”As he said himself, he first had to get used to the philosophy of our car.”
“There are big differences between our car and the Ferrari. But things are getting better and better. The collaboration with Alex Albon is working extremely well. We are very satisfied and I expect a strong second half of the season.”
Improvements on the track
According to Smeets, one concrete effect of Sainz’s move is improved efficiency in teamwork: “Both sides of the garage are now working at the same level – and, above all, closely together. We can divide the work better in free practice and use the knowledge we’ve gained to determine the best direction for the weekend. That’s very valuable for us.”
Smeets also praises the strong dynamic between Sainz and Albon: “On the track, they are competitors, but in the garage it’s all about teamwork – pushing the team forward, improving the car and supporting development at the factory. Now we have two drivers who are driving the team forward – and in the same direction, which makes a lot of things easier.”
When both drivers agree on similar set-ups, it’s often a good sign: “If their set-ups aren’t too far apart, it’s usually an indicator that we’re on the right track. If they differ greatly, something is usually wrong.”
According to Smeets, Sainz not only brings speed to the team, but also new ideas: “In the first six months, he brought up a lot of things that we could do differently or better. Some of these we won’t be able to implement until 2026, but we have already adopted many short-term improvements.”
A concrete example? “The preparation of the tires behind the garage – how to warm them up and stack them in wet conditions. Some of his previous teams did this a little differently. These are small details, but they add up to tenths of a second. And that makes a difference in the end.”
Increased interest
Sainz is also making an impact off the track. Since his arrival, Williams has seen a significant increase in fan interaction, merchandise sales, and interest from sponsors. “We did a demo with Carlos in Madrid. We expected 5,000 to 7,000 fans – 25,000 turned up. That was one of our best days ever for merchandise sales.”
The fan zones that Williams organizes at selected Grands Prix have also grown significantly. “At first, 500 to 1,000 fans came. But if you look at the numbers from Australia, Miami, Barcelona, and London this year, these are now serious events.”
Sainz is also a commercial asset: “We now have a title sponsor, and there is strong interest from other companies. Having two top drivers in the team obviously helps a lot,” says Smeets.
Even the Williams Driver Academy benefits – albeit indirectly – from Sainz’s presence. “His arrival shows how serious we are about the future, and that helps enormously in discussions with young drivers and their management. We’ve seen a significant increase in inquiries,“ says Smeets.
Nevertheless, the team remains selective: ”We want to focus on a few talents – ideally one per category. But Carlos has given the whole project a big boost.”
With Sainz, Williams has found new momentum. His commitment acts as a catalyst for the entire team. In addition to his experience, he brings a strong work ethic, technical feedback, and a charisma that enhances the entire environment.
And according to Sven Smeets, this is just the beginning: “With Carlos on board, we have taken a big step forward in all areas. And hopefully we will continue to benefit from this in the years to come.”
