The Miami Grand Prix was a rollercoaster of emotions for Carlos Sainz, who found himself bewildered after a miscommunication from the Williams pit crew.
Carlos Sainz’s race began with promise, starting from sixth on the grid. However, the day took an unexpected turn following a clash with Alex Albon due to Lando Norris’s early mishap. The contact damaged Sainz’s car and set the tone for his struggles throughout the race. Albon, benefiting from fresher tires, soon imposed pressure on Sainz, despite an apparent team strategy to avoid internal duels initially.
Expecting cooperation from Albon, Sainz was caught off guard when Albon executed an overtaking maneuver. The Spaniard voiced his concern over the radio, seeking support from his teammate, only to learn Albon had been encouraged to hold position. Unfortunately, this directive seemed to come too late, right as Albon was already amidst his move.
Following Albon’s overtaking, Sainz expressed his frustration, feeling undermined by the lack of clarity in communication. He reflected on a similar scenario at Jeddah, where he had played the team player for Albon, only to be caught off guard again. “You feel stupid because you’re told one thing and something else happens,” Sainz commented, describing the situation as embarrassing.
Williams team boss James Vowles acknowledged the gap in communication, admitting the need for better coordination. Albon, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with his performance, highlighting the overall strength of his pace. He noted how the race played into their strengths and pointed out his initial caution due to perceived car issues was merely a hiccup.
The mix-up seemed to come from a delayed instruction to Albon, who was managing his own car issues while being told to maintain a gap for strategic reasons. Albon ultimately capitalized on a strong race pace, finishing fifth, compared to Sainz’s ninth, marking a significant move up from his initial grid position.
In the aftermath of the Miami GP, the dust has settled with understanding and pledges to improve communication from Williams. Sainz, although left feeling slighted, has assured that lessons will be taken and applied in future races. With the acknowledgment of the miscommunication, both drivers and the team look forward to smoother collaborations on the track.
