Sainz: Going to give my best to get my first podium for Williams

Only Max Verstappen managed to better him in a chaotic session in Baku marked by six Red Flags and shifting conditions. Sainz credited Williams’ strategy and execution for the breakthrough result on a day his teammate Alex Albon crashed out in Q1.

The Spaniard reported in the Baku parc ferme: “Very happy. Honestly, we have nailed the qualifying today. Every time being on the right tyre on the right time and putting together some very strong laps.

"Obviously the moment a top car was going to put a lap together we were always going to be those four-five tenths behind like we are always, but it was only one of them – Max, not surprised. For the rest we managed to beat them and are in P2, which is great news," added Sainz.

With the top teams struggling to deliver clean laps on Saturday when it mattered, Sainz seized the moment, delivering under pressure as the session swung between dry and dampish spells. His performance ensured Williams will start Sunday with a realistic chance of fighting for their first podium in the turbo-hybrid era.

Looking ahead to the race, Sainz made clear his target: “The plan for tomorrow is try and stick it on the podium. I’m going to give my best to get a first podium for Williams. If it’s possible, great, if it’s not, we will see.”

Starting alongside Verstappen, with Lawson and Antonelli on the second row, Sainz faces a stern challenge to convert his qualifying result into silverware. Yet the 30-year-old believes Williams’ pace and composure in unpredictable circumstances can carry into race day.

For a team that has spent much of the past decade struggling at the back of the grid, Sainz’s effort in Baku represents a major boost. The question now is whether Williams can turn the front row start into a long-awaited trip to the podium when the lights go out on Sunday.

Alex Albon looked strong all weekend, but made what he termed a "rookie error", clipping the inner wall at Turn 1 and damaging the Williams before he got a chance to really stretch its legs. He told reporters afterwards: “A bit of a rookie error, let’s say.

"I think I was first out on my first push, so I was the first car through Turn 1, and had absolutely no grip, and then when I came back lap later, had huge grip. I can’t blame anyone but myself. It was a bit of a silly error. It’s a shame because we’ve been really quick all weekend," added Albon.

After a troubled start to the season, Sainz has gained ground on Albon as the season progresses. Carlos has now outqualified Alex 9-8 since they have been teammates this season.