Claire Williams has praised Carlos Sainz and the Williams team following their impressive podium at the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. This marked Williams’ first podium since 2021 and a significant milestone for the team. The Carlos Sainz Williams podium achievement reflects both the driver’s determination and the team’s resurgence in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Sainz joined Williams at the start of this season, moving from Ferrari in what was considered a major acquisition for the Grove-based outfit. Despite early struggles while adapting to the new team, his performance in Azerbaijan showed clear progress, distinguishing his 2025 campaign from the difficulties he faced previously. Claire Williams noted that her late father, Sir Frank Williams, who founded the team, would have been “very proud” of this accomplishment.
The Journey to Success at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz’s move from Ferrari to Williams was a highlight of the off-season transfer market, yet his initial results were overshadowed by a teammate who outpaced him on points. However, during a tumultuous qualifying session in Baku, Sainz secured a strong second-place starting position, setting the stage for a breakthrough race.
On race day, the 31-year-old driver converted his grid position into his first podium finish for Williams Racing, ending a dry spell for the team that lasted since George Russell’s second place at the shortened Belgian Grand Prix in 2021. This result not only boosted Sainz’s confidence but also signaled a competitive step forward for Williams in the current season.
Following the race, Claire Williams expressed her congratulations on social media:
So many congratulations to Carlos Sainz and everyone at Williams Racing after their podium. I know Frank would be very proud! As am I!
—Claire Williams, former Deputy Team Principal
Reflections on Past Negotiations and Williams’ Ownership Transition
Claire Williams revealed earlier in the year that she had been involved in negotiations to bring Carlos Sainz to Williams during her leadership tenure between 2013 and 2020. While the exact timing of these discussions remains unclear, the fact Sainz has finally joined the team is a narrative she describes as “such a brilliant story.”
She commented in an interview:
It’s now 10 years later and he’s finally made it there.
—Claire Williams, reflecting on talks to recruit Sainz
Williams Racing underwent an ownership change in 2020 when Claire Williams sold the team to Dorilton Capital. Since stepping away from day-to-day management, she has gradually re-engaged with Formula 1, leveraging her expertise through broadcasting and ambassadorial roles rather than a return to leadership.
Claire Williams’ Renewed Presence in Formula 1
Following her departure from team management, Claire Williams has embraced new opportunities within the sport. She appeared as a pundit in the Netflix series Drive to Survive and secured an ambassador role for Santander, a key Williams sponsor with strong ties to Sainz. Santander moved its support from Ferrari to Williams alongside Sainz’s transfer at the end of 2024, signing a multi-year partnership with the team.
In July, Williams returned to the F1 paddock as a pundit during Channel 4’s British Grand Prix coverage, spending time in the Williams garage and hospitality areas. The experience allowed her to reconnect with the sport in a more relaxed capacity away from the responsibilities that weighed on her previously.
Recalling her return to Silverstone, Claire Williams said:
“It was really overwhelming in many ways. I’d stayed away since 2020 and to walk back into that environment at Silverstone, not with the weight of responsibility but with the opportunity to just enjoy it, was very emotional.”
She further explained:
It felt more like closure than anything else and a really positive one at that.
—Claire Williams, on her emotional return to F1 coverage
Looking Ahead: Claire Williams’ Role and Williams Team Prospects
Although Claire Williams confirmed she has no plans to rejoin Formula 1 in a senior management position, she remains an enthusiastic supporter of the sport and open to further involvement in media and ambassadorial roles. Her ongoing presence offers valuable insights, bridging her deep history with Williams and the fresh momentum generated by current drivers like Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.
The milestone achieved at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is likely to motivate the Williams team as they aim to build on this success throughout the 2025 season. With sponsorship aligned behind Sainz and renewed team confidence, this breakthrough podium could be the start of consistent performances for the Grove outfit, rekindling hope among fans and stakeholders alike.
