Carlos Sainz nearly secured an unexpected pole position for Williams during an intense and chaotic qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite six red flags disrupting the event—the highest ever recorded in F1 qualifying—Sainz finished in second place on the grid and heads into the race with a significant edge thanks to his allocation of two sets of hard tyres.
The Williams driver’s impressive qualifying result gives him a competitive chance for a podium finish on race day in Baku, leveraging both his pace and tyre strategy to potentially make a notable impact.
Challenges Among Top Competitors Open Door for Sainz
The qualifying session saw several frontrunners falter; Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q2, while championship leader Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc both crashed in Q3. These incidents elevated Sainz’s prospects, allowing him to post a strong provisional pole position despite numerous interruptions.
When Lando Norris crashed at Turn 15, it further cleared the path for Sainz, although Max Verstappen managed to maintain his composure and secure pole in the closing moments, marking a consecutive pole position for him.
Sainz’s P2 start is a remarkable achievement for the Williams team, reflecting their consistency and his ability to keep the car on track while rivals encountered difficulties.
After qualifying, Sainz expressed his satisfaction:
“Very happy. Honestly, we’ve nailed qualifying today,”
he said, highlighting the importance of timing his tyre use and delivering strong laps.
He elaborated:
“Obviously, the moment that a top car was going to put a lap together, we were always going to be those four or five tenths behind, like we are always, but it was only one of them which was Max, no surprise. And for the rest, we managed to beat them. And yeah, we were in P2, which is great news.”
Demonstrating his confidence in his own form, Sainz added:
“I’ve been putting good laps together this year in qualifying. It hasn’t been my weakness or my issues at all. Again, today, we proved that the speed on this car and this team is there. I’m delivering in qualifying when it counts, and unfortunately, just the year in terms of races and points is not going the way we want.”
Looking ahead to the race, he remained optimistic:
“But as long as the speed is there, which, again, today proves, the points and the good races will come, and I’m not worried.”
Sainz Targets First Podium for Williams at Baku
So far in the 2025 season, Sainz has collected only 16 championship points, but the Azerbaijan GP represents an opportunity to boost his tally significantly. The strong qualifying position and tyre strategy could be key factors in achieving his goals.
Confirming his race plan, Sainz stated:
“Plan for tomorrow, try and stick it in the podium,”
further emphasizing,
I think I’m going to give it my best to give Williams that first podium [sic]. If it’s possible, great. And if it’s not, we will see.”
Insights from Team Principal James Vowles on Williams’ Progress
Williams team principal James Vowles praised his squad’s performance after qualifying, crediting the team’s recent improvements in tyre preparation and overall pace. He told Sky F1 that the progress was evident from the first practice session on Friday through to qualifying.
Vowles commented:
“So quick car and good result, and well done to Carlos. You saw out there how tricky it is. Brilliant, brilliant driver.”
He acknowledged the quality of other contenders like Piastri, Norris, and Leclerc but pointed out that starting ahead of such rivals in Baku provides a tangible advantage in racing strategy.
On tyre choices, Vowles emphasized the significance of the hard compound, which has become the likely preferred option for many drivers during the race. Williams’ possession of two fresh sets of hard tyres for Sainz is therefore a vital edge:
“The good news is, the car was quick on Friday, both Alex [Albon] and Carlos. It’s always close in that midfield range. We’ve got to accept, Verstappen, the two McLarens, they’re quick, and the Ferraris were quick as well. But when you start ahead of them, as you know here, you do have an opportunity to race them. The hard tyre is really good. You’ll see people focusing very much on that in the race. We’ve got two with Carlos, which I think is a huge advantage.”
Vowles also warned about the unpredictability of the Azerbaijan GP, which often features numerous virtual safety cars (VSC), safety car interventions, and red flags, complicating race strategy:
“But here’s what the race will be. None of the sims we do overnight will actually tell you a single thing about what the race is, because it’ll be a combination of VSC, safety cars and red flags.”
Looking Ahead to a High-Stakes Race in Baku
Carlos Sainz’s impressive qualifying in the Azerbaijan GP has positioned him as a formidable contender for his first Williams podium. The combination of an excellent grid spot and strategic tyre advantage puts him in prime shape to contend with top teams such as Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull.
With unpredictable race conditions typical of Baku and a competitive midfield battle unfolding, Sunday’s Grand Prix promises an exciting contest. Sainz’s resilience and determination will be tested as he seeks to convert his qualifying success into valuable championship points and a historic result for Williams.
