Azerbaijan GPSainz leads in Baku and sends a warning: “If possible, great, if not…”
Carlos Sainz has achieved the best qualifying result for Williams in over four years. The Spanish driver will start from the front row and aims to stay on the podium in what promises to be a chaotic race in Baku.
George Russell secured second place in the qualifying of the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix. Since then, no Williams driver had managed to match the now Mercedes leader. Until Carlos Sainz equaled that position in the qualifying of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
In a session that lasted over two hours due to multiple accidents and red flags, the Spanish driver kept his cool and even became the favorite for pole when, after setting the best time, Leclerc first and Piastri later interrupted the session with their respective accidents.
Even more so when light drops of rain began to fall, which appeared intermittently later on. However, nothing can stop Max Verstappen in such difficult conditions, and the Dutchman relegated Carlos Sainz to second place.
«The speed is there and the points and good races will come, so I’m not worried»
Total satisfaction from Sainz
The pole would have been incredible, but the second position has also filled Carlos Sainz with joy. The Madrid driver expressed this right after getting out of the car, while also acknowledging the great merit of Max Verstappen for relegating him at the last moment on a dry but tricky track.
«Very happy with today’s qualifying, being consistently on the right tire at the right moment, he initially pointed out. «I was able to make some solid laps. Obviously, at the moment a top car does it, we are four or five tenths behind, but today only one did it, Max [Verstappen], which is not a surprise. But we managed to beat the rest and we are in second position, which is great news».
Sainz thus acknowledges the good work done by his team, which has made some mistakes in previous races. Additionally, he has asserted his worth, reminding that when things work, he is up there.
«I have managed to do good laps in qualifying this year, it has not been my weakness or my problem at all. Again, I have shown that when the car's speed and the team are there, I perform in qualifying when it matters, he pointed out.
Sainz, ambitious for the race
The result this Saturday is spectacular, but if Carlos Sainz and Williams do not finish with a solid race and a good result, it will quickly fade away.
The Madrid driver is aware of this, but he is clear that the potential for a great result is there. «Unfortunately, the year in terms of points and races is not going the way we want, but the speed is there and the points and good races will come, so I’m not worried».
So, what exactly does Carlos Sainz expect from the race in Baku? «The plan for tomorrow is to stay on the podium. I will give my all to give Williams their first podium. If possible, great, and if not, we’ll see», he concludes.
The Baku circuit is known for surprising with unexpected events, as happened in qualifying. Especially on weekends with mild temperatures and strong winds, as is the case, drivers struggle to keep the tires in their optimal temperature range.
On one hand, the asphalt is not abrasive and, in addition, the endless straight poses two difficulties: it cools the tires and forces drivers to aerodynamically unload their cars, making them much more unstable in the twisty section.
So, is it possible for Sainz to hold on to the podium? By pace and pure speed, it is not. But Sundays in Baku are very long, and podiums like Stroll in 2017 with Williams, Pérez in 2018 with Force India, and Gasly in 2021 with AlphaTauri attest to that.
Fotos: Williams Racing
