James Vowles, Williams Formula 1 team principal, expressed his profound pride following Carlos Sainz‘s first podium finish for the team, a milestone also marking Williams’ return to the podium under Vowles’s leadership. The Carlos Sainz Baku podium came after a fiercely competitive race at the Baku City Circuit, showcasing the driver’s skill and the team’s resurgence.
Sainz’s Strong Start and Strategic Challenges in Baku
Carlos Sainz began the race in second position, right beside polesitter Max Verstappen. He held this front-running slot through the initial laps but eventually slipped behind Mercedes’ George Russell following his pit stop on lap 28. Despite this setback, Sainz’s performance remained impressive throughout the event.
Vowles Reflects on the Team’s Journey and Sainz’s Performance
James Vowles emphasized the significance of this achievement for the team that had struggled previously.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a few podiums in my career, but this is one I’ll remember forever,”
Vowles said. He added,
“We earned this together as a team – a team that, in recent years, has been at the back, fighting just to survive, and now has battled its way back into this position.”
The team chief praised Sainz’s driving as well, stating,
“Carlos delivered a phenomenal race — an exceptional drive from start to finish, and a joy to watch.”
He also highlighted the driver’s emotional response, noting,
“You could see and hear just how much it meant to him. I believe in positive momentum, and this gives Carlos a real foundation to build on.”
Alex Albon’s Setbacks and Resilience During the Race Weekend
The race weekend held challenges for Alexander Albon, Williams’ other driver. After demonstrating strong pace in practice sessions, Albon crashed during qualifying, forcing him to start 20th on the grid. He moved up to 19th after Haas driver Esteban Ocon was disqualified. However, Albon later incurred a 10-second penalty for colliding with Franco Colapinto, finishing 13th with the penalty included.
Regarding Albon’s struggles, Vowles commented,
“With Alex, sometimes you just have those days. He absolutely had the pace — we’ve seen it all weekend — but after that early incident in qualifying, it was always going to be difficult. Still, he fought back and finished close to the points.”
Looking Ahead: A Motivated Team After a Major Milestone
Vowles, who joined Williams as team principal in early 2023 after a 13-year tenure at Mercedes, expressed eagerness to celebrate the team’s success.
“For now, I can’t wait to get back to the factory on Monday with the trophy and feel the roof come off the place. This result is a reward for the incredible dedication of the entire workforce, who give so much of their lives to this team,”
he said.
This breakthrough at Baku is expected to energize Williams and provide momentum as they progress through the season, reflecting a determined effort from both the drivers and the team behind the scenes.
