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Sainz surprised by Williams' Baku upgrade performance

News›Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026

Sainz surprised by Williams' Baku upgrade performance

racer.com+ 6 moreTue 22 Sep · 13:15 UTCupdated Sat 26 Sep · 12:48 UTCHave your say

Image via racer.com

The story so farNeutral summary generated from 12 sources

Carlos Sainz expressed surprise at the impact of Williams' latest upgrade during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, noting it allowed him to showcase more of his pace this season. Meanwhile, team principal James Vowles provided a critical assessment of the upgrade's effectiveness following a challenging race.

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2026 season · round 16 next — Bahrain Grand Prix in MalaysiaSeason overview →

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1MMercedes538 pts 2FFerrari378 pts 3MMcLaren306 pts 4RBRed Bull263 pts 5RTRB F1 Team83 pts 6ATAlpine F1 Team68 pts 7HTHaas F1 Team27 pts 8AAudi17 pts 9WWilliams12 pts 10AMAston Martin3 pts 11CTCadillac F1 Team0 pts

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First to report

Williams's 2026 season is past saving, but its Baku upgrade package is still critical. Here's whyNo matter how effective its long-awaited Azerbaijan Grand Prix upgrade package is, Williams has failed in 2026.Team principal James Vowles framed the midfield-leading fifth place it achieved last year as “our new established baseline”, so being ninth-best so far this season, ahead only of newcomer Cadillac and the struggling, but...racer.comTue 22 Sep · 13:15 UTCRead their report →

Too little too late? What's resting on Williams's Baku upgradeWilliams has fallen well short of expectations in F1 2026. It has a major upgrade package for the Azerbaijan GP, but is it too little too late?

the-race.comWed 23 Sep · 05:06 UTCRead →

Doubt already cast as Williams deploys major F1 upgrade in BakuEarly doubt has already been cast over Williams' big Baku upgrade.

CrashWed 23 Sep · 11:46 UTCRead →

Big upgrade; restrained expectations for Williams in BakuAlex Albon says the Williams upgrade that will be introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix carries a substantial weight saving that equates to guaranteed lap time, regardless of its aerodynamic gains.Williams has been overweight for much of this season, after launching its car late and missing some running in pre-season....racer.comWed 23 Sep · 12:59 UTCRead →

Why Sainz and Albon remain cautious on Williams upgrade packageCarlos Sainz and Alex Albon have previewed Williams' major upgrade package, which is set to debut at this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Formula1.comWed 23 Sep · 15:39 UTCRead →

What's worrying about upgraded Williams as Baku package appearsRather than be excited by Williams's new chassis approach, Gary Anderson has cause for concern. Here's his take and a look at other F1 teams' Baku upgrades

the-race.comThu 24 Sep · 08:00 UTCRead →

Williams eye Baku boost as every team's upgrades revealedTake a look at the full list of upgrades teams have brought to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Formula1.comThu 24 Sep · 10:45 UTCRead →

Vowles assesses impact of Williams' Baku upgradeWilliams have brought a major upgrade to Baku in the hopes it improves their position, after a painful 2026 season so far.

Formula1.comThu 24 Sep · 15:26 UTCRead →

James Vowles issues verdict on Williams’ final ‘new car’ Azerbaijan upgradeJames Vowles has critiqued Williams' latest upgrade package after another tough day of F1 action at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

PlanetF1Thu 24 Sep · 15:34 UTCRead →

The early verdict on Williams’ big Azerbaijan Grand Prix F1 upgrade packageWilliams has offered a first verdict on its new and improved FW48 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

CrashFri 25 Sep · 07:53 UTCRead →

Sainz surprised by Williams’ Baku upgradeSep.26 (GMM) Carlos Sainz says Williams’ long-awaited Baku upgrade surprised even the team after finally giving him a chance to show more of his pace this season. Sainz has spent much of 2026 warning that Williams had fallen behind in the development race, despite extending his stay with the team. But in Baku, the Spaniard…newsonf1.comSat 26 Sep · 06:46 UTCRead →

Sainz says Williams upgrade opened Q3 doorCarlos Sainz says Williams' substantial Baku upgrade performed better than expected and finally gave him a chance to demonstrate his underlying pace.grandprix.comSat 26 Sep · 11:34 UTCRead →

This story

In this story

CSCarlos SainzFollow IgnoreBABob AndersonFollow IgnoreAAAlexander AlbonFollow IgnoreCPCarlos PaceFollow IgnoreCTCadillac F1 TeamFollow IgnoreWWilliamsFollow IgnoreBCBaku City CircuitFollow Ignore

Related stories

Antonelli's Baku woes: 'Worst' weekend of seasonKimi Antonelli described the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as his 'worst' race weekend despite finishing fifth after starting from 16th on the grid. He gained 11 places during the race, but his teammate George Russell's victory reduced Antonelli's championship lead to 66 points with eight races remaining this season. Antonelli faced challenges throughout the weekend, including a hydraulic leak that disrupted his practice sessions. He acknowledged that he was not at his best during the race, opting for a conservative approach to avoid damage. Antonelli is looking to bounce back at the upcoming race in Sepang on October 4.

espn.comSat 26 Sep

Norris hits out after Baku pile-up DNF with AlpineLando Norris expressed his frustration after being taken out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix due to a collision caused by Franco Colapinto. Following the incident, Norris stated that there are drivers who do not belong in Formula 1, implying that Colapinto's actions were unacceptable. The crash occurred during a Safety Car restart on lap 36, leading to both Norris and Pierre Gasly retiring from the race. Colapinto acknowledged his mistake and accepted responsibility, apologising to his team and teammates. He received a 10-second time penalty, which will affect his grid position in the next race. Gasly, visibly upset, highlighted the significant points lost due to the incident, while also emphasising the importance of respect in their working relationship.

espn.comSat 26 Sep

Alpine's Flavio Briatore rips into Franco Colapinto's Baku blunder: "A very poor move"Flavio Briatore, the Alpine Formula 1 chief, expressed his disappointment with Franco Colapinto after the latter crashed into his teammate Pierre Gasly during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident occurred on lap 36 during a safety car restart, resulting in both drivers being taken out of the race and costing Alpine a potential double points finish. Lando Norris, who was also involved in the crash, called for the FIA to consider a race ban for Colapinto's careless driving. Briatore stated that such incidents should not happen, especially when both cars were in scoring positions. He acknowledged that Colapinto has accepted responsibility for the crash and described it as a significant mistake for a driver of his experience. Briatore is now contemplating the next steps to ensure that similar situations do not occur in the future, as Alpine aims to learn from this setback.

Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep

Hadjar hails ‘first proper podium’ with P3 in BakuIsack Hadjar made a successful return from injury by finishing third in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first podium earned on pure pace. After missing several races due to a wrist injury, he gradually built his speed throughout practice and qualified fourth before racing to the podium. Hadjar expressed his joy at the achievement, stating that it felt like a proper podium after a challenging six weeks. He noted that his wrist held up well during the race and is looking forward to the upcoming busy schedule in the 2026 season.

Formula1.comSat 26 Sep

Kimi Antonelli "driving like my grandmother" in Baku F1 raceKimi Antonelli finished fifth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after starting from 16th place due to a crash in qualifying. His cautious driving style, which he likened to that of his grandmother, allowed him to navigate through the field while avoiding major incidents, including a crash involving Franco Colapinto. Despite sustaining damage from contact with Haas driver Oliver Bearman, Antonelli managed to limit his points loss to teammate George Russell. He now holds a 66-point lead in the championship standings as the series moves on to Malaysia.

Motorsport.comSat 26 Sep

6

MV

Max VerstappenRed Bull

Oscar PiastriMcLaren

Isack HadjarRed Bull

Liam LawsonRB F1 Team

Pierre GaslyAlpine F1 Team

11ALArvid LindbladRB F1 Team

Franco ColapintoAlpine F1 Team

Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team

Gabriel BortoletoAudi

Nico HülkenbergAudi

Esteban OconHaas F1 Team

17CSCarlos SainzWilliams

Alexander AlbonWilliams

Fernando AlonsoAston Martin

Yuki TsunodaRB F1 Team

Lance StrollAston Martin

Valtteri BottasCadillac F1 Team

23SPSergio PérezCadillac F1 Team

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