Points for Williams in China like a 'mini victory for us' – Sainz

Carlos Sainz secured a ninth-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix, marking Williams' first points of the 2026 season. Sainz described the result as a "mini victory" for the team, given their current performance challenges, and emphasized the importance of managing strategy to capitalize on other drivers' mistakes. While Sainz provided a morale boost for Williams, teammate Alex Albon faced a frustrating weekend. Albon was forced to retire before the start of the race due to a hydraulic issue, marking a series of reliability problems for the team. Both drivers underscored the urgent need for Williams to analyze their car's performance and address ongoing technical difficulties as the season progresses.