Carlos Sainz's electrifying performance in Baku qualifying has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 world. Despite narrowly missing pole position to Max Verstappen in a dramatic final session, the Spaniard celebrated a remarkable second-place start for Williams, a result that signifies a potential turning point for the team.
Sainz initially secured provisional pole after a breathtaking lap, only to be overtaken by Verstappen in the final moments of a chaotic Q3. Two red flags, triggered by Charles Leclerc's crash at Turn 15 and Oscar Piastri's subsequent wall contact, disrupted the session, creating a tense one-lap shootout in unpredictable conditions.
"Very happy, honestly. We’ve nailed Qualifying today," Sainz declared after the session, expressing his delight. He highlighted the team's perfect tire strategy and the execution of several strong laps. He acknowledged Verstappen's superior pace, noting that the top cars always hold a slight advantage, but emphasized that Williams managed to outpace the rest of the field.
This performance marks a significant personal achievement for Sainz, who's faced a challenging season since his move to Williams from Ferrari. He’s been striving to match his teammate Alex Albon’s performance and this strong qualifying result provides a much-needed boost to his confidence and demonstrates the team's raw speed.
"I’ve been putting good laps together this year in Qualifying – it hasn’t been my weakness or my issues at all. Today, we proved that the speed of this car and this team is there," Sainz confidently stated. He expressed optimism that this pace translates into improved race results and points in the coming races.
Sainz is aiming high for the race, setting his sights on a podium finish. "Try and stick it on the podium," he stated. He expressed his ambition to deliver Williams' first podium finish since his arrival. Meanwhile, Albon will be starting from the back of the grid after a Q1 crash, adding another layer of drama to the upcoming race. Despite the setback, Albon remained positive, taking responsibility for his error and focusing on maximizing the race outcome from his unfavorable grid position.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with Sainz in a prime position to potentially secure Williams' first podium of the season and consolidate their resurgence in the Formula 1 world. The contrast in fortunes for the Williams drivers sets up an interesting dynamic for the race itself, with the stage set for potential upsets and compelling racing action.
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Originally published at: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/sainz-thrilled-with-second-in-azerbaijan-gp-qualifying-as-he-aims-to-stick.3Ywi7fEId83J65bGFnuW4U
