Carlos Sainz Baku podium marked a turning point following a turbulent career phase, as the Spaniard transitioned from Ferrari to Williams ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season. After losing his seat to Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Sainz found himself with limited options as neither Red Bull nor Mercedes considered him for a top drive. Choosing Williams, a team in the midst of rebuilding under James Vowles with fresh investment, became both a challenge and a gamble for the two-time race winner.
The move to Williams was not a guaranteed success. The team had yet to regain its former competitiveness, but early signs in 2025 were promising. Williams had improved its machinery considerably, enabling Sainz and teammate Alex Albon to push the team to fifth place in the constructors’ standings. Despite these improvements, Sainz initially struggled to adapt after leaving Ferrari’s sophisticated setup, compounded by reliability setbacks and a few personal errors that widened the performance gap with Albon.
Performance Struggles and Emotional Farewell at Ferrari
Before his Williams tenure truly began, Sainz closed his chapter with Ferrari on a high note by securing a podium at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in what was a poignant farewell. That result left lingering questions about whether his future would hold more podium finishes. The Spaniard himself admitted the uncertainty when reflecting on his prospects with Williams, emphasizing his determination despite the unknown timeline for achieving similar success with his new team.
What I can tell you is that I’m as determined as ever to help that team to be back where it belongs. I personally feel like I belong to be fighting for wins, podiums and top fives in Formula 1. I think I’ve proven it these last four years as a driver.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
Breakthrough in Baku: Capitalizing on Opportunity
At the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Sainz’s persistence paid off as he delivered a flawless performance on the demanding streets of Baku. Starting second on the grid, he capitalized on a tricky qualifying session that unsettled drivers in superior cars, demonstrating remarkable skill and composure. This podium was more than just a race result; it symbolized Sainz’s faith in Williams’ revival and his personal commitment to overcoming adversity.
This one means even more just because of a year ago when I put my bet on Williams, and I said I’m going to this team because I truly believe in this project, and I truly believe that this team is on the rise,
Carlos Sainz, Driver
I’m very comfortable in this working environment, also very comfortable with everyone around me. And I have actually been pretty fast all year with the car. I think out of everyone that’s changed teams — which is not an easy task nowadays — I’ve been very competitive from the first race, very quick, but I didn’t have results with me.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
Surpassing Expectations and Maintaining Focus
Few expected Sainz to reach the Williams podium ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had replaced him at Ferrari, but the Spaniard’s composed response showed a focus on his own achievements rather than comparisons. He acknowledged the significance of Williams’ first podium in years and took pride in seizing the opportunity for both himself and the team.
What everyone else does is not my business, to be honest,
Carlos Sainz, Driver
What I care about is that the first opportunity that I had to score a podium with Williams, and the first opportunity Williams had to score a podium, we took it, we scored it, and there it is.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
Williams benefited from a disrupted starting grid and showed impressive straight-line speed to help secure the result. Despite this success, Sainz remains realistic about the difficulty of replicating such performances, conceding that their competitiveness will heavily depend on track characteristics and occasional race circumstances.
I think this podium is – unless something crazy happens – maybe our best chance,
Carlos Sainz, Driver
Probably Las Vegas will be our next best track to try and maybe put together a top five or a top six, which is what we sometimes can achieve when everything goes right. I’ll fight for it if it comes, like you’ve seen today.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
But the rest, for example in Qatar, I don’t think we will score points. That’s how much our performance swings. But then we will have the Austins, the Mexicos. We will be a pure midfield car where we can maybe get in the points and keep our championship going.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
Williams’ Long-Term Vision and the Importance of Sainz’s Podium
Williams’ leadership remains focused on a longer-term plan targeting 2026 and beyond, viewing the current season’s achievements as steps toward future competitiveness. Sainz’s first podium for the team marks an important morale boost, signaling that the team’s investment and driver lineup could deliver sustained progress. Even teammate Alex Albon, despite a difficult weekend at Baku, celebrated the milestone below the podium, highlighting the positive team spirit.
For Sainz, this result is more than just statistics; it represents a significant reward for enduring a trying stretch in his career, marked by perseverance through setbacks and an unwavering work ethic.
I think life has taught me many times that this sometimes happens; that you have a run of misfortune or bad performances, but if you keep working hard then suddenly life gives you back something really sweet like this.
Carlos Sainz, Driver
