First Q2 of the year for Carlos Sainz in the Japanese GP

Saturday, 28 March 2026:
- Free Practice 3: P18, 1:31.829, 26 laps
- Qualifying: P16, 1:31.033, 15 laps

• Carlos Sainz feels he maximized the potential of his Williams FW48 in the Qualifying session of the Japanese GP, in which he managed to move past Q1 for the very first time this season.
• The Spanish driver put together a great lap in Q1 and set a 1:30.927 in his final outing to clinch a spot in Q2, which he attained with a buffer of two tenths of a second.
• In Q2, Carlos clocked a 1:31.033 lap that gives him the sixteenth spot of the grid for tomorrow’s race. Points are set to be an ambitious goal, but Carlos’ determination is to make the most out of his car.

QUOTES:
“Getting into Q2 was our best case scenario and we achieved it so I am happy with that. As a team we did everything we could and my laps were solid. We made some progress compared to China but at the same time we need to make sure we keep adding performance. P16 isn't where we want to be. I really enjoy driving around Suzuka and I’ll do my absolute best to maximize tomorrow’s race and see where we finish".

COMING UP:
Sunday, 29 March 2026
- Race: 14:00 local time (07:00 CEST)