Racing
© Broekema
Carlos Sainz says he will spend Formula 1’s summer break mostly with family in Mallorca, using the time to reset and fit in a training camp before Williams returns to action at Zandvoort after a punishing Hungarian Grand Prix.
Speaking on The Fast And The Curious podcast, Sainz said his plans will follow a familiar pattern in the Balearic Islands rather than any dramatic change after a difficult first half of the season. “I normally spend my summer in the Balearic Islands. I’ll spend most of my time in Mallorca. Mallorca is where my parents’ home is for the summer. My whole family goes there for almost a month. They install themselves there, and I get to go there for a couple of weeks and just hang out with the people that I love.”
The break comes at an important moment for Sainz and Williams. In Hungary, he finished 18th at the Hungaroring, two laps down, and his race was further compromised by a collision with Oscar Piastri while Sainz was being lapped. He also received a five-second penalty.
Sainz said the time off will not be only about rest. Towards the end of the break, he expects to switch the focus back to preparation for the Dutch Grand Prix. “Sometimes my group of friends come towards the end, and we do a bit of a training camp before I fly to Zandvoort,” he said.
He added that the rest of the routine is as established as ever, including time around the other islands. After Mallorca, Sainz said he will jump across to Ibiza and Menorca by boat to visit friends there. “Honestly, I’ve been doing that for 30 years, and that’s everything I do in summer.”
The reset comes with Sainz 15th in the drivers’ championship on six points, one place ahead of Williams team-mate Alex Albon on five. Williams also slipped to ninth in the constructors’ standings after Hungary, with more significant upgrades expected later in the season around the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.