Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles believes the team needs to “lift” Carlos Sainz back up after his disappointing Italian Grand Prix.
Sainz just missed out on a points-paying finish at Monza, crossing the line in 11th after Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, adding to another frustrating weekend for the Spanish driver.
Since joining the Grove outfit at the beginning of the season, after losing his seat at Ferrari to make way for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, Sainz has been adjusting to the new team and power unit. So far this season, the 31-year-old has accumulated 16 championship points, six top-10 grand prix finishes and one top-10 sprint race finish.
Following the race, where his team-mate Alex Albon secured a seventh-place finish, Vowles argued that a ninth-place finish was achievable for Sainz.
“Really well done to Alex on his seventh place. It was hard fought, brilliant first stint on hards. And Carlos, really playing the team game and helping along that journey as well,” the team chief explained in a video posted to the team’s social channels.
“I think what it demonstrates is what we’ve been saying: we have a fast car, but we’re not getting it right in qualifying. We’re just on the edge of getting the tyres to work, and we have to maybe do that, and fast, in order to pick up more points in the future.
“But irrespective, to have a Mercedes and a Ferrari in sight ahead just tells me we’re doing a good job overall.
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams
Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images
“For Carlos, I’m sorry, he did a good race. He was effectively in the right, overtaking [Oliver] Bearman on a charge on the way to get good points today. I’m confident at least P9, if not more.
“And in our circumstances it’s frustrating to walk away with nothing. I know how he’ll be feeling right now, and our job is to make sure we lift him back up and we stay true and strong as a team. It’s one of our values, it’s one of our strengths.”
The team now looks ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, set for 19-21 September at the Baku City Circuit.
“We have Baku coming up next, again, a track that I feel we should be able to perform well at. Once we get qualifying absolutely nailed on, I’m confident we’re out there fighting for good points in that weekend,” Vowles added.
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