Carlos Sainz may be trailing his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 63 points in the driver’s championship, but there’s one key area where the Spaniard holds an advantage. Despite both drivers having secured five race wins this season, Sainz’s adaptability in tough conditions has been praised by former F1 driver Marc Surer.

Surer, who competed for Arrows in the 1980s, pointed out that Sainz excels when the car isn’t performing at its best. While Leclerc is undeniably fast when the car is in top form, Sainz is able to extract better performance from a struggling car. According to Surer, this quality is what makes Sainz not only underrated but also championship material.

“When the car is not perfect, he can adapt. When the car is good, Leclerc is incredibly fast, but only if the car is good. If the car is not perfect, Sainz is faster,” Surer explained. He also believes that this adaptability will be crucial for Sainz’s future success, including his upcoming move to Williams. Despite the team still being in development, Sainz’s ability to perform under challenging circumstances will be invaluable for them.

Sainz’s shift to Williams was confirmed following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, and he will join the team in 2025. However, he will make an early debut in 2024. After the 2023 season wraps up with the Abu Dhabi GP on December 8, Sainz will participate in end-of-season testing on December 10, marking his first time behind the wheel of a Williams car.

The test will provide Williams with valuable feedback as they look to tailor the 2025 car to Sainz’s preferences, and fans are eagerly anticipating how he will fare in his new role. This early debut could offer a glimpse into the future of both Sainz and Williams as they aim for greater success in the coming seasons.