Carlos Sainz has revealed he has spoken with Fernando Alonso over the “complicated” starts both Williams and Aston Martin have endured to Formula 1‘s latest era.
Both Sainz and Alonso entered the 2026 regulations reset with optimistic outlooks.
Williams finished fifth in the Constructors’ last year, eager to build on the positive momentum entering the sport’s latest era.
The Silverstone-based team on the other hand was buoyed by the arrival of Adrian Newey, a works Honda engine deal and a new state-of-the-art Wind Tunnel in its factory premises.
That said, the three pre-season test events at Barcelona and Bahrain have not gone exactly to plan for either of the Spanish-born drivers.
Williams missed the opening private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in January, after having reportedly failed the FIA’s mandated crash tests whilst also battling an overweight FW48.
Alonso and Aston Martin did make it to Barcelona but enjoyed only limited running. Across the further two, three-day, events at the Bahrain International Circuit, it could not exceed a total of 400 laps over the allocated nine days of testing.
ran into Fernando one day in the paddock and we talked for a good 20 minutes, catching up a bit,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“And well, he’s in a similar situation to me, not ideal, complicated, but eager to see what his team is capable of bringing and to see his team’s ability to react.”
While the duo of Sainz and Alonso will hope to be locked in battle for points throughout the 2026 season, the former Red Bull junior hopes nothing but the best for his rival.