Sainz: I am inspired by a new challenge, I am ready to fight.

      Carlos Sainz, speaking to the press in London before the F1 75 Live show, shared his impressions of starting work with Williams – this is the fifth Formula 1 team for which the Spanish driver will compete in 11 seasons in the World Championship.

      Carlos Sainz: "For ten years, I have collaborated with half of the championship teams. I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but it gives me a lot of experience, I know how different teams work and develop.

      I've now moved from an Italian team to a British one, and that's the most significant change, but it doesn't involve anything I haven't dealt with before. It's an interesting and new challenge, and it inspires me. I want to enjoy my work and give myself to it wholeheartedly. I already feel at home at Williams.

      If we talk about the car, I can only say about the December tests in Abu Dhabi. The biggest difference you notice when changing teams is the engine. Its vibrations, its sound. Although, of course, I intend to understand all the features of the chassis, aerodynamics and tires, the only thing I have to really adapt to is the Mercedes power plant.

      This is the most important change, because we need to study how this engine works, how it interacts with the ERS system, and what are the features of various procedures, including those related to safety.

      Based on my experience, I can say that you usually only have three days of testing to adapt to a new car. At the same time, each rider works behind the wheel for only one and a half days, and during this time it is necessary to understand all the tricks and nuances, having modeled all possible situations. But that doesn't mean that I won't be able to be competitive from the very first races of the season.

      But I'd be surprised if we have the opportunity to fight for the podium in Australia. You know that 2025 will be a transitional year for Williams, and we have said more than once that we are aiming for 2026. We hope that this is when new opportunities will open up before us, and we will be able to close the gap with larger teams.

      In the qualifiers, the teams in the middle of the peloton were no more than three or four tenths behind the leaders, but it is very difficult to win back these three or four tenths. It won't be easy to get into the top ten, but I'm ready to fight. If I can get on the podium, I'll be glad, but I'm not counting on it."