Williams has improved its cooling system, Carlos Sainz says

Williams has indeed improved its personal cooling system, the subject of a controversy discussed by Carlos Sainz. The driver is pleased that his team has refined the equipment, while other teams are said not to have devoted budget to it in order to save money.

In Singapore, the equipment can matter towards the end of a race. With walls lining the circuit, the heat felt inside the car can become particularly noticeable. The garment’s tubes circulate liquid to help keep the driver cool. Sainz is glad Williams paid attention to the system, which was introduced in 2025.

“If there’s something we’ve developed well as a team this year, it’s the cooling vest. It has definitely made life more comfortable for Alex and me in the car, and we’re delighted to have it,” Sainz said. In his view, developing the equipment is a matter for each team rather than an improvement that should be imposed by an outside body.

That focus on comfort does not mean the driver expects a major leap in performance on track. Sainz does not anticipate many changes in the FW48’s performance in Singapore. The circuit has few straights and is dominated by medium- and high-speed corners, features that do not appear especially suited to the car.

The driver also points to his qualifying form. He believes this has been one of his strongest seasons over a single lap, continuing the progress he made towards the end of the previous season. He says he enjoys that part of the weekend, when he can try to extract the most from the car and directly make a difference. In a race, close battles, lost aerodynamic grip and the management of starts leave him feeling he has less control.

The improved cooling system is therefore a source of satisfaction for Sainz ahead of an event where heat can weigh on drivers late in the race, without removing his reservations about the car’s potential in Singapore.