After starting from 17th on the grid, Carlos Sainz managed to battle his way through the pack, additionally benefitting from some drivers that were forced to retire from the race, or some drivers that failed to even start the race - including team-mate, Alex Albon.

It has been a difficult start to the season for Williams, not scoring points at the Australian Grand Prix, and both cars qualifying 17th and 18th for the Chinese Grand Prix. However, Sainz remains upbeat and positive before the drivers return next weekend for the Japanese Grand Prix, and then a one month break.

Speaking about scoring Williams' first points of the year, Sainz stated: "The starts have been good! I had a mega start in Melbourne, a mega start in the sprint and another great start today. We did everything right, and doing everything right in the end brought us a Top 9, which if you asked me before the race, I thought it was probably very improbable."

Sainz battled hard against Franco Colapinto in the late stages of the race, the Argentinian had been hit by Esteban Ocon earlier in the race, as Colapinto attempted to score his first points for Alpine.

Despite finishing in ninth place, Williams have still faced a tough struggle so far in 2026.

Questioned on his understanding of the car, following the impressive result, Sainz stated: "We know we are too slow, we are too slow compared to where we wanted to be. Part of that is weight, that we know we need to get out of the car. We haven't been the most reliable car also. Alex, not starting the race and me missing so many practices and having so many issues."

Sainz continued: "We need to level up, because we're having too many issues in too many areas and as a team, we need to dig deep. I hope these two points serve as motivation, as a bit of a bonus motivation for everyone to come back home and dig deep, because it's not where we wanted to be and not where we said we would be this season."

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