Sainz Clinches Podium in Historic Performance at Azerbaijan Grand Prix
In a remarkable display of skill and strategy, Carlos Sainz secured a third-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first podium with Williams and the team’s first since the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix. Starting from the front row in P2, Sainz managed to fend off pressure from Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes, ultimately demonstrating superior race craft in a pivotal moment for the revitalizing team.
Max Verstappen dominated the race, taking the win, while George Russell executed a strategic long-stint to finish as runner-up, outpacing Sainz in the final laps. Sainz reflected on the achievement, acknowledging that many had doubts about a podium finish, especially with strong competitors like McLaren and Ferrari nearby.
“Probably if you asked many of us yesterday, we didn’t believe the podium was actually achievable with so many fast cars behind,” Sainz stated. However, he emphasized that team performance and pace had improved this season, allowing him to capitalize on the opportunity.
“This podium is particularly meaningful because I committed to Williams, believing in its rising trajectory,” Sainz explained. The Spaniard highlighted his consistent pace over the year and praised the collaborative environment within the team, asserting, “I’ve been very competitive from the first race…they did come.”
This result marks Williams’s fourth podium in the last decade, with the last race-completed podium achieved by Lance Stroll in the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sainz’s performance not only solidifies his adaptation to the new team but also sets a positive tone for Williams’s future as they aim to reclaim their position in the upper echelons of Formula 1.
