Carlos Sainz celebrates his first podium with Williams. Photo: RacePictures

Cracking the podium: How Sainz and Williams made it happen

14:30, 01 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Carlos Sainz claims his first podium for Williams in F1 has come as a result of the team executing a perfect weekend and capitalising on the pace shown during Friday's practice sessions.

I said I was dreaming about the podium, but in reality, I was kind of believing that if we nailed everything, we could actually make it happen.

- Carlos Sainz

Starting from P2 Sainz was able to drive his Williams Racing FW47 home in P3, behind winner Max Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell.

Was the podium the result of a particular strategic approach from the Grove-based team's side? "No. No. I just knew — I think on long runs on Friday, I saw my lap times and I saw that I’m actually very quick, very competitive," Sainz said after the race in Baku.

Sainz' analysis led him to reach the conclusion that indeed, a podium finish might even be in the cards for the Spaniard.

Carlos Sainz and Williams celebrate podium in Baku. Photo: RacePictures

"So if it’s not easy to overtake back there, they’re going to struggle to get to me because I’m not slow.

"That’s why yesterday, I said I was dreaming about the podium, but in reality, I was kind of believing that if we nailed everything, we could actually make it happen."

The Spaniard then emphasised that the pace available in his FW47 has been strong throughout the 2025 campaign, something Williams can capitalise on if they have a perfect race weekend.

"Because our pace has genuinely been good all year in this kind of tracks. I’ve been quick. The car has been quick. And if we nail everything, I thought a top five was possible. And if we do everything perfect, maybe even the podium."

Williams on the rise

After what Sainz called his sweetest podium in F1, he pledged his allegiance to the team and his belief in team principal James Vowels' project. The Spaniard also stated that the Grove-based fold were a team "on the rise."

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