AUSTIN, Texas — Following the F1 Sprint race Saturday at Circuit of the Americas, the loudest roars when the top three finishers were not for George Russell, the Mercedes driver who arrived in Austin with a brand new contract and finished second. Nor were they for the winner, Max Verstappen, who kept his comeback hopes alive in his chase for the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship.
No, the loudest roars were for Carlos Sainz Jr., who secured his maiden podium for his new team at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and followed that up with a P3 in Saturday’s F1 Sprint race.
Speaking with the media, including SB Nation, following qualifying on Saturday afternoon, Sainz talked at length about what that moment meant to him.
“That’s probably the biggest thing for me, just seeing how everyone in the crowd seems to be behind us, behind me, Williams,” described Sainz on Saturday.
“Seems like the people have really bought into the underdog, and the team, and obviously my change, and might switch to this team. Everyone has come with me and supported me on my way, so as an athlete and as a driver, it feels really special when you get such a big crowd supporter reaction.
“A big thank you,” added Sainz.
The Williams driver will line up ninth on the grid Sunday, but is optimistic heading into the United States Grand Prix.
“I think what is important is that our race pace is always better than our quali pace,” continued Sainz. “I expect to pick up a bit of pace in the race.”
Sainz will get his chance to fight forward — and perhaps hear some more cheers — tomorrow in the United States Grand Prix.