Carlos Sainz Jnr’s first podium finish for Williams will give him a confidence boost he needed after a tough start since joining them, says team principal James Vowles.
Before last weekend’s race Sainz had scored just 16 points compared to team mate Alexander Albon’s 70. But in Baku he delivered the team’s first podium finish for four years with third place.
Vowles, who persuaded Sainz to join Williams after he lost his drive with Ferrari, said: “I’ve wanted him to be basically having a great result like this since the beginning of the year.”
“You could see it was on the cards,” he continued. “It just never came together for one reason or another.
“[For] drivers, this suddenly builds your confidence and momentum and allows you to step forward. That’s what I wanted for Carlos.”
Sainz’s best result so far this season before last weekend was eighth, while Albon had finished fifth on four occasions.
“I think he definitely needed it,” said Vowles. “We all needed it as a team, though.
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“It just shows to the world this is absolutely where we are and this is the journey we’re on together. And for Carlos it’s fundamentally I think a ratification for the decision he took a year ago.”
Although Vowles enjoyed many championship successes during his time at Mercedes, he said his first podium finish as a team principal was special.
“It’s extraordinary,” he said. “I’ve had the pleasure of having many podiums in my career, but this one will stay with me forever. It means a huge amount to me.
“From where the team was, on our journey, to where we’re going. But Carlos earned it today. This wasn’t luck, this was him driving his socks off all weekend.”
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