Carlos Sainz was slated to begin the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix in the F1 for Williams, but an unexpected mechanical issue thwarted his plans. A gear malfunction prevented the Spanish driver from participating in the formation lap. Despite making an initial attempt to get his car moving, Sainz was forced to head back to the pits, where his vehicle began to emit smoke.
Sainz faced a challenging start at the Austrian Grand Prix, beginning the race from 19th position after Saturday’s qualifying session. Despite encountering difficulties in Q3, Sainz lined up at the back of the grid while his teammate launched from 12th place and continued to progress through the race.
High temperatures and potential issues with electronic components in the engine seemed to contribute to Sainz’s inability to commence the race effectively, even after completing a formation lap. This incident is just one of several setbacks Sainz has faced this season with the Williams Racing Team.
Accumulating only 13 points so far, Sainz has struggled to find consistency. Meanwhile, his teammate’s performance indicates that the car itself is competitive, suggesting Sainz’s challenges may stem from a mix of bad luck and adaptation to the vehicle’s handling this year.
Sainz faces consecutive setbacks at Austrian GP
The Spaniard driver encountered misfortune once again at the Austrian Grand Prix, marking the second consecutive year he’s faced race day difficulties at this circuit. Last year with Ferrari, Sainz similarly experienced issues, sparking a debate among fans on social media.
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In the 2024 event, Sainz began the race smoothly, only for trouble to arise a few laps in when his car started emitting smoke, forcing him to retire. The precise cause of this year’s Austrian setback remains unclear, but the recurrence has raised eyebrows among observers.
Verstappen and Antonelli exit early
The race saw further drama as its start was delayed due to Sainz’s issues. In the first turn post-restart, Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli were caught in a collision that led to their early exits from the Austrian GP. Antonelli struggled with braking, resulting in an unfortunate collision with Verstappen’s Red Bull car after contact from the Mercedes driver.
Verstappen’s withdrawal opened the door for McLaren in the drivers’ standings, offering Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri an opportunity to capitalize and extend their lead over the reigning champion and other competitors.
