AUSTIN, Texas — Carlos Sainz Jr. knows just how important a comeback can be for a Formula 1 team.
Having made the move from Ferrari to Williams for the 2025 F1 season, Sainz finally broke through with his first podium for his new team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing a strong third behind Max Verstappen and George Russell. It was the first podium for Williams since the truncated 2021 Belgian Grand Prix, and the first podium for the team over a full race distance since Lance Stroll finished third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
That result highlighted the team’s ongoing comeback as they work their way up the standings after finishing ninth a season ago.
But then at the last race, the Singapore Grand Prix, Sainz delivered a strong personal comeback. It was a difficult Saturday for Williams, as both Sainz and Alexander Albon were disqualified after their cars failed post-qualifying inspections.
Yet despite starting from the back of the grid, Sainz fought through the field, finishing tenth and bringing home the final point that was on offer.
Speaking with the media here on Thursday, Sainz talked about just how important a comeback can be for a Formula 1 team.
“We come off the back of two strong races. One strong Saturday, two strong Sundays,” began Sainz on Thursday in the Williams hospitality space at the Circuit of the Americas.
”Unfortunately, Saturday didn’t go to plan in Singapore. But I think during a year you’re always gonna get those kinds of Saturdays, and I think a good statistic to have is to be strong in bounce backs, you know, and have a good bounce back history.
“I think the team, and I myself, responded really well to the setback of Saturday with a very strong drive, strong strategy, strong execution of Sunday,” continued Sainz. “I think that also builds [confidence]. Like, the podium in Baku builds confidence, but also a good comeback and a good bounce back, like on Sunday also does.”
As we wrote earlier this fall, the comeback at Williams is on. A team with a storied history is fighting their way back up the grid, as the team currently sits sixth in the Constructors’ Championship standings with six race weekends remaining on the schedule.
A big comeback, built on the back of smaller comebacks like the one Sainz delivered in Singapore two weeks ago.
The importance of which Sainz knows all too well.
