Carlos Sainz secured his best podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, earning third place and marking a significant milestone for both his career and Williams Racing. This strong result underscored Sainz’s resilience and highlighted the progress Williams has made during this challenging Formula One season.
Joining an Elite Group of Drivers with Podiums for Multiple Teams
This podium placed Sainz among a rare group of drivers who have scored podium finishes with three different teams, now including McLaren, Ferrari, and Williams, making him the 56th driver to reach this achievement. Reflecting on his result, Sainz exclaimed,
“Vamos! Vamos! Best podium in my career. You cannot imagine how this tastes. Thank you so much. This is my first smooth operation with Williams.”
Boost in Championship Standings for Sainz and Williams
Before Baku, Sainz had accumulated only 16 points in the season, but the third-place finish added 15 more, lifting him to 12th in the drivers’ championship standings. Simultaneously, Williams secured fifth place in the constructors’ rankings, buoyed by this important result following a tough year.
Team Effort and Overcoming Season Challenges
Sainz praised the collective effort of everyone at Williams for their persistence through many difficulties, stating,
“I’m extremely proud of everyone at Williams for pushing through a very difficult year.”
He highlighted that their ongoing improvements indicate the team is moving steadily in the right direction compared to previous seasons.
Podium Count and Historical Significance
With this latest podium, Sainz has now reached the podium in 21 different Grand Prix events, placing him among the top 15 drivers with diverse podium finishes in Formula One history. He shares this distinction with notable names such as Lando Norris and Ayrton Senna, reflecting the breadth and consistency of his success on track.
Reflections on Past Challenges and Future Outlook
Sainz acknowledged the setbacks experienced earlier in his tenure with Williams, noting,
“Unfortunately for me, we’ve had a lot of bad luck, lots of incidents and found it very difficult to convert all that pace into results.”
Despite these hardships, his recent achievement signals a turning point, offering hope for continuing momentum in future races.
The strong showing in Baku is a testament not only to Sainz’s driving skill but also to Williams’ potential to build on this momentum. The team looks forward with optimism, aiming to capitalize on their upward trajectory as the season progresses.
