P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Williams boss James Vowles has revealed that Carlos Sainz extended an offer of assistance to the team amid its Formula 1 pre-season test delay woes.
Williams team principal James Vowles shared that Carlos Sainz offered assistance to the team during their Formula 1 pre-season test challenges. The team had to skip the Barcelona test due to weight discrepancies with the FW48, potentially 20-30 kilograms heavy, threatening the car’s competitiveness. Adding to the setback was a previous crash test failure, halting optimism for the 2026 season prospects. The news disappointed Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, who boosted the team to fifth in the Constructors’ Championship last year. Sainz, seeking a career revival, aims to help Williams return to the top in the long run. With Sainz’s past assistance, Williams improved significantly in 2025, and Vowles hopes for a similar outcome once current issues are resolved. Despite the challenges, Sainz immediately offered support when contacted by Vowles, displaying his commitment to the team amidst testing difficulties. Vowles remains determined to address the problems, confirming a private shakedown session at Silverstone before heading to Bahrain for the official pre-season tests in a week.
