By Sarah Talker,Total Apex Sports

Copyright yardbarker

The streets of Baku, notorious for breaking hearts and machines, decided to script a fairytale this weekend, not for the usual suspects, but for a driver who has been navigating the roughest patch of his career. Carlos Sainz, in a Williams that had no business being there, stormed to a podium finish, reminding everyone in the paddock exactly what he’s made of.

It was a drive fueled by raw determination, a point to prove, and the kind of grit that defines a true racer. This wasn’t just another third-place trophy. This was a statement. For a driver unceremoniously dropped by Ferrari for a shinier, seven-time world champion model, and now biding his time in a midfield car, this podium felt like a victory.

It was a defiant roar from a driver many had started to write off. Let’s be honest, before today, Sainz had scraped together a meager 16 points for the season. Today, he bagged 15 in a single afternoon, catapulting himself six places up the drivers’ standings. It was a performance that screamed, “Don’t forget about me.”

How Sainz Mastered the Streets of Baku

From the moment the lights went out, Sainz was a man on a mission. While championship contender Oscar Piastri’s race ended almost before it began with a heartbreaking first-lap retirement that snapped a 44-race finishing streak, Sainz was carving his way through the chaos. He kept his nose clean, his focus sharp, and his right foot planted.

As Max Verstappen disappeared into the horizon, securing another dominant grand slam and inching ever closer to the championship lead, the real battle was raging behind him. George Russell put in a solid performance for Mercedes, claiming a well-deserved P2, their best finish in Baku since 2019. But the story of the day was the white car with the number 55 on its side. Sainz was relentless, holding his nerve against faster machinery and demonstrating the race craft that once made him a hot commodity at McLaren and Ferrari.

Sainz Joins an Elite Club

With this incredible P3 finish, Sainz etched his name into a very exclusive part of Formula 1 history. He is now only the second driver ever, after the legendary Alain Prost, to secure a podium for the iconic teams of McLaren, Ferrari, and Williams. That’s not just a trivia tidbit; it’s a testament to his adaptability and sheer talent. To find success with three such different and demanding teams speaks volumes about his skill behind the wheel.

This podium was also a monumental moment for the Williams team. It marked their first podium in a full-length Grand Prix since Lance Stroll pulled off a miracle on these same Baku streets back in 2017. The unbridled joy and emotion in the Williams garage were palpable. For a team that has endured so much hardship, this was a beacon of hope, a validation of all the hard work happening back at the factory in Grove.

What This Podium Means for Sainz’s Future

So, where does Carlos Sainz go from here? He’s a free agent for 2025, and this performance was the best possible advertisement. He proved he can still deliver world-class results when given a sniff of an opportunity. He showed resilience, bouncing back from a season of frustration to seize the moment.

While the top teams have their lineups locked in, this drive has surely put him at the top of the list for every other team principal with a seat to fill. He didn’t just drive a race; he sent a clear message to the entire grid. In a sport where your memory is only as good as your last race, Sainz just created a memory that will be impossible to ignore. He took a car that was, on paper, a midfield runner at best, and put it on the box. That’s the mark of an elite driver, and today, Carlos Sainz proved he still belongs in that category.