Williams Racing upgrade delivers unexpected performance in Baku

Williams Racing's new chassis upgrade delivered unexpected performance during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Driver Carlos Sainz managed to reach Q3, a result he described as a surprise even for the team. Sainz noted that while the team expected the upgrade to increase speed, reaching the final qualifying segment was beyond their initial expectations.

Despite the performance boost, Sainz was handed a five-place grid penalty. He expressed satisfaction with the team's tire strategy and his own ability to drive at the limit, noting that the upgrade allowed him to finally showcase his pace after a frustrating season.

Teammate Alexander Albon qualified 13th. He observed that while the car feels similar to previous iterations, the upgrade has moved the team further up the grid compared to their usual positions. Both drivers indicated that the upcoming race in Sepang will be a more definitive test of the upgrade's potential, particularly regarding high-speed cornering.