Carlos Sainz has recognized the growth of the Williams Racing team, highlighting their impressive performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Spaniard secured a strong third-place finish in a challenging wet qualifying session, starting from the second row for the upcoming 50-lap race.
Sainz’s Standout Performance
During the qualifying round, only title contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen outperformed Sainz. This achievement marks Sainz’s second-best qualifying result of the season, following his second-place start in Azerbaijan earlier this year.
Conditions and Adjustments
- Sainz expressed optimism about his performance, stating that dreaming is free and he aims to perform well.
- Despite initial concerns about their pace in the wet conditions during practice, the team made crucial adjustments that improved their performance for qualifying.
- Sainz set the fastest time in Q1 multiple times, demonstrating his capability in extreme wet conditions.
Williams’ Competitive Progress
According to Sainz, Williams has emerged as a strong contender, consistently outperforming teams like McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes. The team has been recognized as the “best of the rest” throughout the season.
Sainz noted the positive response from fans, acknowledging their support for Williams as they fight as underdogs in the championship. He expressed a desire to achieve pole position to invigorate the fanbase further.
Teammate Challenges
While Sainz excelled, his teammate Alex Albon faced difficulties. Albon was eliminated in Q1 after crashing into the barrier at Turn 16, damaging his car’s front-right suspension. He reported experiencing a sudden loss of grip in challenging conditions, which impacted his lap time.
Albon expressed his surprise at racing under such adverse weather conditions but acknowledged the competitive nature of the event. He believed he could have achieved a strong lap time based on his performance throughout the weekend.
Looking Ahead
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaches, Sainz’s recognition of Williams’ progress and resilience will be crucial. The team aims to continue building on their performance as they gain momentum in the Formula 1 season.
