James Vowles: Carlos really needs this podium

      Carlos Sainz’s podium in Baku, at this stage in Williams’ history, is essentially equivalent to a victory, and the British team are genuinely pleased with the Spaniard’s third place, as luck finally smiled on him this weekend. Although he started from second on the grid, George Russell got ahead of him thanks to strategy — after all, the Mercedes is clearly more effective in race conditions.

      “Carlos drove exceptionally well,” stressed James Vowles, head of Williams Racing. “With every lap he increased his pace, but at the same time we understood that Mercedes had a very fast car. In any case he deserves all praise, because this weekend he didn’t make a single mistake.

      “It was clear that Russell was catching us, lapping half a second quicker, and to prevent Mercedes from executing an undercut we decided to pit first, securing third place. But that was the right decision.

      “Carlos has been rewarded after all the difficulties he has had to overcome this season. Even on Thursday, when we spoke with him, we promised each other that this would be a turning point. He very much needed this podium, and you’ll see that it will give new strength both to him and to the whole team.”