Carlos Sainz has discussed his "excited tension" for the upcoming Formula 1 regulation changes in 2026.
2026 brings in a wave of new regulations to the championship, which will see smaller and lighter cars powered by a 50/50 split between the internal combustion engine and electric power.
"Yes, but I am also... I don't know what the word is. Excited tension. Excited worry. But obviously, I have no doubt that I will adapt and I will find a way," the Spanish driver explained to his team-mate Alex Albon during the Williams Team Torque podcast.
"But I'm already thinking what parts of my driving style are going to suit next year's car. And what parts I think I'm going to need to work on. Whenever I drive that simulator, I'm already thinking ahead: Where am I going to be strong? Where am I going to be weak? So it's an excitement but also with certain tension."
Albon responded: "Yes. I think next year, a lot of that tension comes from the unknown. It's not a normal year. There's a lot more to it than just the driving side. There's also the efficiency side of your driving as well.
"And I think that's another layer than no one really knows if their driving [will suit the regulations]. I think for some drivers, it will naturally work for them better than others. It will be interesting to see."
Sainz joined Williams ahead of the 2025 season after being replaced by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari. While the Grove outfit was mainly working on building for a jump in performance in 2026, Sainz brought in two podium finishes at the Azerbaijan and Qatar grands prix - the first of which came under James Vowles's leadership.
As a result of Sainz's 64 points and Albon's 73 points, the team finished fifth in the constructors' standings, which Vowles described as a "dream come true".
"Finally, fifth would have been a dream come true just 12 months ago when we were languishing in ninth in the constructors' championship. Thank you very much," the team chief said after the Qatar Grand Prix.
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