Carlos Sainz kicked off Miami Grand Prix week in style, taking center stage at a lively fan Q&A in Wynwood Marketplace as Williams rolled out the red carpet for its newest star. The team threw its full support behind the Fan Fest launch, turning Wednesday night into a Sainz showcase—complete with an exclusive chat that had fans buzzing before the main event even started.

Williams has had a rough ride this season. After a strong finish to 2025, with Sainz scoring two podiums and a top-three in the Texas sprint, the 2026 regulations have hit hard. Both Sainz and teammate Alex Albon are struggling to escape Q1, and the team sits ahead of only Aston Martin and newcomers Cadillac in the constructors' standings. The car that once flew high now feels heavy—literally.

"Honestly, we have a lot of weight to lose, it's no secret," Sainz admitted earlier this month. "Would it be a good car if we got the weight down? I think we can do better. Apart from the weight, I believe this team has the potential to design and produce a car that is much better than what we've done."

Miami is where the turnaround has to start, and Sainz made that clear. "I expect the team will do a big push over the month to come up with something for Miami which is a good step forward," he told reporters.

During the Q&A, a fan asked which driver he'd swap with if given the chance. With a wry smile, Sainz pointed to Mercedes' George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. "Well… with one of the two Mercedes," he said. "Who I think are going to surely win the race on Sunday."

While Williams searches for answers, the Miami weekend offers a chance to reset—and fans got an early taste of the action with Sainz's star turn at Wynwood. Whether the team can turn that momentum into performance on track remains to be seen, but for now, the 'Carlando' reunion jokes and the buzz around a potential comeback are keeping spirits high in the paddock.