Carlos Sainz arrives at the final races of the 2025 season buoyed by his podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, according to Williams team principal James Vowles. However, Vowles cautions that the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix will present a significantly greater challenge for the team.
Williams Celebrates Strong Podium Finish in Baku but Eyes Cautious Next Steps
Williams Racing experienced a surge of excitement following Carlos Sainz’s third-place result at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking their first full race podium since 2017. The Spaniard, who faced an uphill battle adapting to Williams after leaving Ferrari, had frequently run into setbacks including misfortune and errors that limited his ability to showcase his real speed this season.
During the Baku weekend, conditions finally favored Williams. Sainz secured provisional pole during qualifying as one of only three drivers to record a time amid two red-flag interruptions. His pace was only surpassed by reigning world champion Max Verstappen. Maintaining his position throughout the race, Sainz delivered a standout performance that revitalized the team’s momentum.
Williams Acknowledges Singapore as a Challenging Circuit Despite Progress
Despite the optimism from Baku’s impressive result, James Vowles expressed reservations about expecting similar fortunes at the Singapore street circuit, a venue that has historically been difficult for Williams. Speaking after the Azerbaijan race, he noted,
“What we’ve shown, I think, all season long, is we can fight near enough for points everywhere — with some exceptions,”
Vowles said.
“I think Singapore is gonna be tricky. I’ve been open and honest about that all the way through, but I think past that point, we’ve got some really great races coming our way.”
He encouraged Sainz to take pride in his recent performance, viewing it as a crucial confidence boost for upcoming events.
Vowles described the podium as a foundation for future success, saying it provided momentum that can carry forward through the season. He emphasized that the achievement in Baku wasn’t down to luck but earned by genuine speed and teamwork.
“And that’s what I want for this team. I want to not have fortune on that side, but earn every position we have from here onwards.”
Reflecting on the Significance of the Baku Podium for Williams
Drawing on his extensive experience as a former motorsport strategy director for Mercedes, Vowles shared how the recent podium holds a unique place in his career. He acknowledged the many podiums he has witnessed but said the one at Baku stands out because it was hard-earned by a team rebounding from several difficult years.
“I’ve had the fortune in my career to have quite a few podiums.”
“We’ve been last or close to, and we’ve fought back into this position now, and Carlos didn’t put a foot wrong all race, just an exceptional drive from start to finish. It was brilliant to watch.”
He also expressed eager anticipation for the celebration that would take place when the team returned to their factory, highlighting the importance of recognizing the dedication of the entire Williams crew.
“It’s the reward for the 1,000 people that are dedicating their lives to me and to this team, and it’s a ‘thank you’ to them.”
Upcoming Challenges in the Closing Stages of the 2025 Season
Following the Singapore race, the Formula 1 calendar moves to several demanding circuits, including Circuit of the Americas in the United States and Mexico’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The season will continue with the Interlagos track in Brazil before entering a high-stakes triple-header spanning Las Vegas, Qatar, and finishing at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
Williams aims to build on the confidence gained at Baku and sustain its competitive momentum, although the team’s readiness at circuits like Singapore remains uncertain. Carlos Sainz’s ability to carry his recent momentum forward could be critical as Williams seeks to maintain a strong position in the fiercely contested 2025 season.
