Williams chief brings Carlos Sainz crashing back down to earth after F1 podium high

Williams expect a "tough" time at the Singapore Grand Prix despite the heroics of Carlos Sainz last time out in Baku. The Spaniard has had a difficult first season with the team so far but secured what was by far the biggest highlight with a third-placed finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

He expertly navigated a fraught qualifying session to go faster than everyone except Max Verstappen, starting alongside the Red Bull driver on the front row. He was overcut by George Russell during the race but still crossed the line third to deliver a landmark result for Williams.

And there was much joy back at the team's factory this week as staff celebrated their first top-three finish since 2021. Team principal James Vowles was present, having flown back from Baku to mark the occasion with his employees.

But the Brit has also warned that their next outing is likely to be a difficult one, on a Marina Bay circuit which has characteristics which are not going to suit the Williams car and the way they will have to set it up. "We were quick in Baku and we have been quick in Baku in the past," Vowles said.

"Singapore is going to be a tough matter, I think that is just the reality behind it. My prediction, and this could be entirely wrong, is we are going to struggle in Singapore. I think when we go to the max wing, we know that is not what this car is optimised for at all.

"For clarity, the wing that we are running is a year-old wing. We did not invest in that downforce level, so that is why I am, unfortunately, fairly confident [that] it is not going to be last [place], but it would not be in the position we are here."

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But that is not to say that Williams have already had all the joy they can get this year. Having broken the 100 point barrier for the first time since 2016, Vowles believes there are other circuits still to come where his team can impress again.

He added: "Going forward from there though, there are some great tracks for us. Abu Dhabi I think would be very good, Vegas would be good for us, I think Brazil and Mexico would be very good for us as well. So I think there are a few on the calendar still where we will have a good opportunity.

"I might regret these words, but what we have said already is this car, if you look all season long, apart from where we have not had reliability [and] we have not finished races, Alex [Albon] and Carlos had the opportunity to score points at most events.

"That is a difference to a year ago, so I think there is more good than bad following and we have just got to make sure we keep scoring when the points are available."