Carlos Sainz has revealed his unexpected favourite part of the 2026 Formula 1 regulations—and it’s something he admits he “shouldn’t enjoy” as a purist fan of the sport.

As one of the directors of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA), Sainz has long acted as a bridge between drivers and F1 leadership, often voicing concerns about major changes. Earlier this season, he urged patience, asking drivers to give the new rules time before passing judgment. He even hinted he’d join Max Verstappen in directly approaching F1’s top brass if issues persisted.

Now, with several races under his belt and more on the horizon, the Williams driver is singing a different tune. Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Sainz praised the FIA’s approach to the 2026 chassis design, calling it a standout in his decade-long career.

“It’s a good chassis; aerodynamically, it’s one of my favourites in Formula 1, and I’ve driven quite a few over the last ten years,” Sainz told SoyMotor. “Switching back to softer suspension makes a huge difference to driver comfort and visibility, especially without that bouncing.”

While many of his peers remain critical of the current cars, Sainz admits he’s enjoying the ride—even if it feels a little unconventional. “On a personal level, it’s something I enjoy. Perhaps I shouldn’t enjoy it because it’s not very purist, but the fact is, you have to think a lot whilst driving. You have to monitor your load, think differently about how to tackle that qualifying lap or race lap to overtake, and I like having that time to think. But the reality is that Formula 1 should be flat-out, so I have mixed feelings.”

Looking ahead, Sainz also confirmed that Williams has “big improvements” planned for their FW48 after a challenging start to F1’s new era. The Grove-based team is working hard to bounce back, and fans will be watching closely to see if these upgrades can translate into stronger performances on track.