Carlos Sainz highlights next Williams opportunity after podium triumph

Carlos Sainz has revealed when he expects Williams to have its next competitive outing following its strong showing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

In mixed conditions during qualifying, Sainz placed his car on the front row of the grid for the start of the race, alongside pole-sitter Max Verstappen.

The Spaniard maintained his impressive pace during the grand prix, and although he could not hold off the Mercedes of George Russell, Sainz crossed the line in third posiiton.

It marked his first podium as a Williams driver and offered Sainz some relief from the various challenges he has faced this year.

Sainz suggested he does not expect Williams to maintain its podium-contending form, suggesting Las Vegas will be its best remaining chance to snatch a strong result.

Asked what else was possible this year, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, he said: “Not much more than this, to be honest. 

“I think the podium is, unless something crazy happens, maybe our best chance. 

“Probably Vegas will be our next best track to try and maybe put together a top five or a top six, which is what we sometimes can achieve when everything goes right. 

“It’s a tough ask. I’ll fight for it if it comes, like you’ve seen [in Azerbaijan].”

While Sainz predicted Williams will be a point-scoring contender for the North and South American races, the 31-year-old suggested it will endure a difficult weekend in Qatar, the second-last round of the campaign.

“But the rest, for example, in Qatar, I don’t think we will score points,” he said. “That’s how much our performance swings. 

“But then we will have Austin, Mexico. We will be a pure midfield car where we can maybe get in the points and keep our championship going. 

“So excited to see what happens in those races.”