Williams squad main James Vowles says Carlos Sainz’s 3rd spot successful Baku was much than a result; it was a infinitesimal that bound the squad together. After qualifying P2 and finishing P3 down George Russell portion holding disconnected Kimi Antonelli, Sainz delivered Williams’ archetypal podium since Spa 2021. Vowles, who arrived successful 2023, described what helium saw erstwhile the trophy reached Grove.
“I’m ecstatic for Carlos,” helium told F1’s Beyond The Grid. “The gait has been determination for a batch of the year… helium needed a effect similar this for the satellite to spot that helium is inactive the Carlos that deserves to beryllium there, and that we’re fortunate arsenic Williams to person him.”
Vowles past visited reception. “We enactment the trophy successful reception, and I conscionable came down randomly each fractional an hour, hour. It was conscionable queues of radical wanting the quality to interaction it for a fewer seconds and person a photograph with it. That’s what meant the satellite to me; they’re individuals who’ve fixed up their beingness for Williams… It volition enactment with maine for the remainder of my life.”
From 1 measurement to a standard
Vowles called the podium a “tiny stepping stone,” not a destination. “It is conscionable 1 podium astatine this stage,” helium said. “What I privation is astir you to beryllium bored by it… We’ve got a long, agelong mode to go.” His targets absorption connected the 2026 rules reset and a heavy upgraded ’27 car, supported by caller infrastructure and machinery.
He besides praised Sainz’s composure. “What I saw… was a operator that was incredibly relaxed. While immoderate whitethorn beryllium nervous, for him it was conscionable concern arsenic usual.” That calm, helium said, dispersed done the garage. “He had content successful the car, content we’re speedy enough… He’s large erstwhile you enactment him successful the presumption wherever helium has a sniff astatine thing special.”