“It’s difficult to put into words what this result means for the team.” Even James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams, struggled to describe the emotions following Carlos Sainz Jr.’s podium finish at the Baku Grand Prix. The former Mercedes strategist called it an extremely important result and a well-deserved reward for the team’s efforts throughout the season.
Reflecting on Sainz’s performance in achieving third place on the Caspian coast, Vowles expressed pride in the Spanish driver. Despite a challenging year, Carlos Sainz delivered an incredible performance throughout the weekend, earning the first podium since James Vowles joined Williams. The result was a huge milestone for the team, celebrated enthusiastically. Vowles emphasized that this achievement meant a great deal to Sainz, to himself, and to everyone in the team, describing it as “the end of the beginning” rather than the conclusion of their journey. He highlighted the team’s collaborative efforts in solving qualifying issues over the past ten days, consistently improving performance across races, and steadily enhancing every aspect of the car.
Red-flag record in qualifying does not stop Williams, Sainz shines
Looking back at the weekend in Baku, James Vowles started with qualifying. It had been a stressful session, particularly due to Alex’s incident, which surprised everyone because the car had been performing well. A sudden gust of wind significantly affected the car’s downforce, causing the unexpected spin. From there, it was classic Baku: a tight street circuit, multiple incidents, and even rain. Despite these challenges, Sainz maintained a high level of focus for over two hours, securing an impressive qualifying performance.
The race: teamwork, strategy, and Sainz’s skill
During the race, the Williams team adapted their strategy to ensure Sainz could defend his podium position. James Vowles praised both the pit wall and the tire engineers for their extensive work, optimizing tire usage—whether medium, soft, wet, or dry, new or used—right from the first lap. The adjustments extended beyond strategy, including multiple car changes that ultimately secured the team’s first podium of the season. He highlighted the strategic team’s foresight in recognizing that used tires would perform better than new ones for Williams’ setup, and their predictions about the hard tire being optimal for the race proved accurate.
In the final laps, Sainz’s podium was challenged by Kimi Antonelli, who came close in the closing stages. Vowles remained calm, confident in the team’s ability to manage the emotions of such a milestone. Following the race, the team celebrated at the factory during a late-night debriefing. James Vowles recalled the excitement, describing the joy and pride of the staff, many of whom experienced their first podium with Williams and wanted to capture the moment with photos.
Looking ahead to 2026: progress and long-term goals
Regarding the next season, James Vowles noted that the regulatory changes could make Williams even more competitive. While acknowledging remaining weaknesses, he emphasized the importance of recognizing the progress already made. With only one podium so far, the team still faces a long journey, with other teams consistently performing at a high level. Vowles asked fans to stay with Williams, trust the process, and assured them that many positive moments are yet to come. When those successes arrive, he promised that fans would want to be part of Williams’ journey.
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