Carlos Sainz was absent from the Brazilian Grand Prix paddock on Thursday after the Williams driver was struck down by illness ahead of F1’s return to the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

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Carlos Sainz was missing from the Brazilian Grand Prix paddock on Thursday after falling ill. Williams issued a statement confirming their driver was compelled to skip his compulsory media duties at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.

“Unfortunately, Carlos is unwell and will not be coming to track today, so all mandatory media slots will be cancelled,” the team statement released to the press detailed.

No details were provided regarding the specific nature of Sainz’s ailment, and it remains unclear whether the Spaniard will recover in time for Friday’s track sessions.

Should the four-time Grand Prix victor be deemed unfit to compete at Interlagos, team boss James Vowles might call upon Mercedes’ reserve driver, Valtteri Bottas, or Williams development star Luke Browning, who has already completed two FP1 outings this season.

Williams boasts a significant cushion in the Constructors’ Championship table going into the final four races of the season. Following Sainz’s podium triumph in Baku and another top-three result in the United States Grand Prix sprint encounter, the Grove-based outfit now sit 39 points clear of sixth-placed Racing Bulls in the standings.

Nonetheless, Sainz’s sickness represents an unwelcome setback for Williams, who have enjoyed plenty of positive developments this week. The British team will be sporting a special livery for the Brazilian GP in partnership with Gulf Oil. In a thrilling turn of events, Williams has announced a team name change for the 2026 season, along with an exciting new logo.

The ‘Forward W’ design, a tribute to the legendary founder, Sir Frank Williams, will be featured prominently. From now on, the squad will be known as ‘Atlassian Williams F1 Team’.

“I am proud that from next year we will be known as Atlassian Williams F1 Team and carry a logo on our car inspired by our founder Sir Frank Williams and deeply connected with our decades of success,” declared team principal Vowles on Monday. As a team, we are inspired by our past but excited about our future, and committed to writing a new Championship-winning chapter in Williams’ history.

“This evolved team identity reflects who we are, where we are going, and reintroduces our title-winning legacy to a growing F1 audience that was not following the sport when we were last dominant.”

Explaining the intention behind the shake-up, marketing director Marcus Prosser concluded: “With this new name and logo, our rich history is being reimagined for the future. It is inspired by our past, confident about our future, and clear about our identity – a Championship-winning Formula 1 team with a burning drive to win again.

“We hope our existing and loyal fans will love it. But we also hope it will connect a new generation to our incredible legacy, building the community of Williams fans that will carry us to our next victory.”