Tom Clarkson

In Formula One, being in the right team at the right time is crucial.

Carlos Sainz left McLaren in 2020.

Five years later, his former team and his former teammate are the reigning world champions.

But when I asked him if he has any regrets, his answer was immediate.

No, and I tell you why not.

Carlos is working on something, building something with Williams.

As F1 enters a new era, he feels he's in the right team.

He's confident their time will come.

Hello everyone, I'm Tom Clarkson and this is the first F1 Beyond the Grid of 2026.

I sat down with Carlos Sainz after the first pre-season test in Bahrain.

He'd had a taste of his new car, enough to talk about how it feels behind the wheel and to see where the team needs to improve.

We also look back at his first season with Williams, how he went from feeling powerless to reaching the podium.

And he talks about what he calls his life's project, winning with Williams.

Carlos, welcome to the show.

Thank you very much.

How are you?

Well, come on to them.

But when you're balancing, you know, just a couple of weeks off, which was the case, how do you get it right between rest and preparation for the new year?

Are you at the height of your powers as a Formula One driver now?

You're going into year 12.