Sainz steps up: Baku podium vindicates his season at Williams

Carlos Sainz Celebrates Baku Podium with an Unexpected Adventure

An indelible smile adorned Carlos Sainz’s face after his first podium with Williams in Formula 1, even after a detour in his return flight. The joy of the Spanish driver was transmitted through the Instagram stories of Charles Leclerc, his former teammate at Ferrari, as both headed to Monaco in a rental van past midnight. Sainz explained, while driving on a two-lane road, that a storm prevented them from landing in Nice, so they were forced to land in Italy and rent a van to get to Monaco.

Sainz’s third place in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a milestone that added to other positive results in the Formula 1 season, such as Isack Hadjar’s third place in Zandvoort and Nico Hulkenberg’s in Silverstone. This podium was crucial for the Spaniard, who had had results below his expectations, almost doubling his points in the 2025 season.

The result in Baku, although it may have been influenced by the performance of other drivers, was the result of an impeccable qualifying lap and an error-free race. For Sainz, this achievement responded to the criticisms that questioned his performance after his move from Ferrari to Williams.

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

Carlos Sainz

The podium in Baku was not only a sporting achievement, but also a personal vindication for Sainz, who was informed in 2024 by Ferrari that they would not renew his contract. Despite having a performance similar to Leclerc’s during his time at Ferrari, his future in Formula 1 was affected by the driver market. Sainz opted for Williams, trusting in the project led by James Vowles. Although Williams has not had an outstanding performance in recent years, Sainz bet on the long-term potential of the team.

Sainz’s podium in Baku was a special moment, especially because it came before Lewis Hamilton’s first podium with Ferrari. Sainz highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities and focusing on the future with Williams. The Spanish driver reiterated his commitment to the Williams project, stating that his goal is to bring the team to competitiveness and victory. The podium in Baku was a reward for his effort and a demonstration of the potential the team has. Sainz’s performance in Baku, where his pace was remarkable, demonstrated his worth and his ability to compete at the highest level. Although the wait for another podium could be long, the confidence that it will be achieved again has been significantly strengthened.

Leclerc and Sainz return to Monaco in a rental van