Sainz shines in Baku: Podium with Williams and revenge in F1

Carlos Sainz Celebrates Baku Podium with an Unforgettable Trip

The joy was evident on Carlos Sainz’s face, even after a diverted flight. After obtaining his first podium with Williams in Formula 1, the Spanish driver shared his happiness in Charles Leclerc’s Instagram stories, while both were heading to Monaco in a rental van. Sainz explained that a storm prevented them from landing in Nice, so they had to land in Italy and rent a van to get to their destination. Sainz achieved an impressive third place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking his first podium with Williams. This result came after a season in which his results had not lived up to his reputation as a four-time Grand Prix winner. Although the result in Baku may have been influenced by the poor performance of other drivers, it was also the result of a clean qualifying lap and a flawless race from start to finish.

Unfortunately, we’ve had a lot of bad luck, a lot of incidents. It was very difficult to convert all that pace into results. But now I understand why it all happened, because the first podium had to come that way. It’s life, you know?

Carlos Sainz

Sainz’s season with Williams has not been easy, but his podium in Baku proved that he still has a lot to offer.

Despite the podium in Azerbaijan, Sainz has still scored less than half the points of his teammate, Alex Albon, this season. Consistency and avoiding problems have always been pillars in Sainz’s reputation in F1, which makes the missed opportunities of 2025 even more disconcerting and frustrating.

The difference between Sainz and Albon in one lap has been one of the smallest between two teammates this year, even closer than that of title rivals Norris and Piastri. Sainz has been very competitive and fast since the first race. “I think life has taught me many times that this sometimes happens, that you have a streak of misfortune or bad results, but suddenly life rewards you if you keep working hard with something really sweet like this,” Sainz stated. This podium in Baku also has a special meaning, as in early 2024, Ferrari informed Sainz that his contract would not be renewed, opening the door for Lewis Hamilton for 2025. The opportunities at Mercedes and Red Bull did not materialize, which led him to consider options in midfield F1 teams. Williams was the option that convinced him the most, largely due to the plan presented by James Vowles, who highlighted the importance of a long-term approach.

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Vowles considered the 2025 season a challenge, with the team focused on the 2026 regulation changes. The result in Azerbaijan, the product of a genuine pace in difficult conditions, was even more rewarding. Sainz expressed his confidence in the Williams project and his desire to bring the team back to competitiveness and victories. James Vowles, for his part, highlighted the importance of the podium for the team and Sainz’s deservingness.

Sainz’s podium in Baku came before Hamilton’s first podium for Ferrari. Sainz preferred to focus on Williams’ achievement and the team’s future. For Sainz, the vindication of the result is not so much about his arrival at Williams, but about his commitment to the long-term project. After a year of irregular results, Sainz’s podium in Baku has been an important step. The wait for the next podium could be long, but the confidence that it will arrive has increased considerably.