Williams’ Low Expectations Going Into Qatar GP

Morale was low as the team knew the track layout was not particularly suited to their car’s strengths, yet the weekend concluded with a stunning performance.

Key changes and setup improvements

Extensive simulation work since August’s Hungarian GP focused on tuning the FW47’s handling to better cope with similar circuit characteristics. The team executed several setup changes after the Sprint, which Carlos Sainz credited with “switching on” the car in qualifying and race trim, especially improving race pace and front-end grip.

Flawless race execution

On race day, flawless pit stops, strong tire management, and precise race craft were decisive. Sainz started seventh and took advantage of strategic calls to leapfrog competitors, most notably overtaking Kimi Antonelli after the latter’s delayed stop. Sainz defended well against a late charge by Lando Norris to secure his second podium of the year.

Sainz’s reflection on the podium

Sainz described the result as a testament to hard work and team collaboration, contrasting it with his first podium in Azerbaijan, which he considered more a relief after a difficult run. He expressed pride in the collective effort, noting the completeness of the weekend’s execution including setup, starts, race pace, and defending.