Autosport Top 50 of 2025: #38 Carlos Sainz

Very much a season of two halves for the ex-Ferrari driver. As a four-time grand prix winner, he was always going to have to manage his expectations on arrival at a team that hasn’t tasted victory since 2012.

But expectations cut both ways; to an extent he was to act as a yardstick for team-mate Alex Albon, who had been previously partnered by paying makeweights. Over the opening races that comparison looked unfavourable, as Carlos Sainz struggled to adapt to the Williams car and systems. But after the summer he was at his smart, fast best in conjuring two podiums seemingly out of nowhere.