Sainz is quite satisfied with his first laps in Australia
Carlos Sainz shined during the first free practice sessions of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. The Williams driver recorded the second-fastest time, ranking just behind Lando Norris, thus attesting to the significant progress of the British team. A standout performance that puts Williams in the spotlight and promises an intense competition for the rest of the weekend.
Carlos Sainz created a surprise by taking second place in the first free practice session of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, behind Lando Norris, the declared favorite for the title. This unexpected performance at the wheel of a Williams sparked excitement and caution in the paddock.
Indeed, this performance by Sainz confirms the Williams’ speed over a single lap, with the Spanish driver slotting in between Norris and his former teammate Charles Leclerc. However, he failed to replicate this performance on the soft tires during the second session, dropping to 11th place.
« That’s cool. It was a positive Friday. It will be about achieving a clean qualifying session. If we manage to get performance with the soft tires, I think we can be competitive. The grid is extremely tight, with several teams achieving very fast laps, so I think this Saturday will be an opportunity to achieve flawless qualifying and see where it leads us », said Sainz. The driver anticipates challenging qualifying, characterized by heavy traffic and the threat of red flags, as is often the case on this Australian circuit.
« It was a practice session, and I’m sure we had a different program from some of our competitors, » tempered James Vowles, director of the Williams team. He highlighted the brake issues faced by Alex Albon, while acknowledging Carlos Sainz’s good form. « Carlos is in top form, that’s undeniable. »
Similarly, Vowles remains realistic about Williams’ ambitions: « The top four teams are giants of the sport, especially McLaren. I would like to be part of that group, but I don’t think it’s the case. It would be nice to at least be able to knock on their door from time to time. »
This result highlights Sainz’s rapid adaptation to his new single-seater. After only a few practice sessions, the Spaniard appears already confident, maximizing the potential of the Williams. His aggressiveness and precision at the wheel could well be Williams’ major assets this season.
Damon Hill, world champion with Williams in 1996, believes that Sainz’s experience could be an advantage for the team. With six historic victories on this Australian circuit, Williams is looking to prove its ability to return to the forefront and live up to its ambitions in an ultra-competitive championship.
