Carlos Sainz, now driving for Williams, has openly expressed his frustration with the politics he encounters in Formula 1, calling it the aspect of the sport he dislikes most. The Spanish driver joined Williams in 2025 after being unexpectedly replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, which forced him into a sudden round of negotiations before securing his new seat.
The Impact of Non-Performance Factors on Driver Selection
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Sainz described Formula 1 as uniquely political compared to other sports. He noted that although football can have political elements, it does not compare to F1’s level of off-track maneuvering. According to him, factors such as team dynamics, sponsorship deals, and financial considerations influence driver choices beyond raw performance.
“I don’t think there’s any other sport that is as political as F1,”
he said.
“You know, football can be political, but nowhere near as Formula 1. Formula 1 – there’s, for some reason, a level of politics that I don’t understand. It’s the one thing of the sport that I hate.”
—Carlos Sainz, Williams
He elaborated, explaining that while performance accounts for approximately 80 percent of what matters on a team, the remaining 20 percent can be driven by external factors that make one driver more appealing than another, despite similar speed or skill.
“Or let’s say, if I am equally as quick as some other driver, that 20% is what makes the difference to be chosen over the other driver. And I feel like this is only happening in Formula 1.”
—Carlos Sainz, Williams
Accepting Imperfection and Moving Forward
Despite his clear dissatisfaction with the political side of Formula 1, Sainz reaffirmed his passion for the sport and his commitment to staying involved for the foreseeable future. He acknowledged that while the sport is far from perfect, it remains central to his life and ambitions.
“It’s the sport that I love and no one’s perfect. This sport is not perfect in so many ways, but it’s my life and it’s where I want to be my next years,”
Sainz reflected. Adding a pragmatic approach to dealing with challenges, he shared one of his favorite sayings:
“And you just—one of my favourite phrases—get on with it. Just get on with it. Who cares? Just get on with it. Don’t dwell too much on it. Don’t get depressed by it. Just get on with it. And [move onto] the next thing or the next target.”
—Carlos Sainz, Williams
What This Means for the Future of Driver Decisions in F1
Sainz’s comments shed light on the complex environment within Formula 1, where political considerations and off-track negotiations can heavily influence driver placements alongside their on-track performance. This dynamic may continue to shape the sport’s competitive landscape, impacting team strategies and how talents like Sainz navigate their careers in a highly politicized environment.