Carlos Sainz Jr. Secures P2 in Thrilling Azerbaijan Qualifying

The qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit delivered an unexpected twist, as Carlos Sainz Jr. achieved an impressive second-place finish. This result places him in a favorable position to vie for his first podium with Williams as the Formula 1 season progresses. The session was marked by a record-breaking six red flags, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the track.

In the end, it was Max Verstappen who clinched pole position, with Sainz and Liam Lawson following closely behind. Sainz expressed his excitement, stating, “Honestly, we nailed the qualifying today,” during a trackside interview with Jamie Chadwick. His confidence stemmed from the team’s ability to select the right tires and execute strong laps throughout the session.

Sainz’s performance included a moment of optimism when he temporarily held the provisional pole after early runs in Q3. As the session drew to a close, rain began to fall, raising the stakes. “I was thinking about a P3,” Sainz noted, reflecting on the competition. “In the end, it was only Max… It had to be Max!”

Despite feeling the pressure, Sainz remained optimistic about his chances in the race. He acknowledged the challenge of competing against top teams like McLaren and Red Bull, which typically enjoy a performance advantage of three to five tenths of a second. Sainz’s insights reveal a keen awareness of the competitive landscape, as he remarked, “I knew my lap was not going to be good enough.”

Looking ahead to the race, Sainz is hopeful for a strong performance. He admitted that the weekend had not been without its difficulties, particularly regarding brake issues that have plagued his team on demanding tracks like Canada and Baku. However, he felt confident after a solid qualifying session, stating, “Whenever there was a chance to put a lap together… I think I did in total three or four laps today in quali given the red flags, the lap was good.”

As Sainz prepares for the race, he is focused on maintaining consistency from his front-row start. “From P2, we’ll try and keep it consistent, see the pace of the car versus every one of the leaders that will try and come through,” he added. His optimism is bolstered by promising long-run pace observed during practice sessions.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with Sainz poised to potentially secure his first podium finish with Williams. As the drivers take to the streets of Baku, all eyes will be on Sainz to see if he can convert his qualifying success into a remarkable race day performance.