'Smooth Operator'- Carlos Sainz's strategy helped Alex Albon and Williams achieve the impossible in Melbourne

Albert Park was soaked in rain and racing there was like walking on a soap bar. The race was completely filled with crashes, car slides, and tyre changes and one particular team was outstanding with their plans eventhough there was an early setback. The Reigning Australian GP winner, Carlos sainz, faced an early disaster during the safety car period. Many expected Carlos Sainz to finish on the podium as Williams was faster than Ferrari and Mercedes. His crash ended his day, and Alex Albon is the only hope for the UK-based team. 

Instead of sitting in the garage and thinking about his crash, the Spaniard took the radio mic and headphones and became a strategist for the rest of the race. He joined the engineers and carefully watched the progress. His teammate Alex Albon was very careful driving his car as he thought of survival more than racing. He somehow managed to come ahead of Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton in seventh place. The biggest challenge was making the big decision during the 44th lap.

Carlos sainz inputs crucial for Williams - Jame Vowels

Vowles: "Hoy había un estratega más: ¡Carlos! Su visión fue increíblemente útil en la transición a intermedios"

"Vimos varios equipos indecisos, pero Carlos insistió: 'Vas a querer cambiarlos'. Y lo clavó"#F1#AusGPpic.twitter.com/fFkbwMTKh3

— SHF77 (@SHF77382749) March 16, 2025

The weather predicted the rain would be a shorter one, and during that time, Williams had to make the big decision with just a few laps left in the race. At that time, Carlos Sainz’s inputs were critical, and listening to him helped them achieve big and nearly impossible at the Albert Park race track.

Team Principal James Vowels spoke about the race in the post-race show and credited Carlos for stepping in for his teammate during the crucial time. Vowels said, “The pitstops were absolutely on point, the strategy - well done to them. One point to note on the strategy is that we had an additional strategist today, which was Carlos. His insights were incredibly useful on the transition to the inter.”

Carlos saw what Ferrari couldn't see

congratulations atlassian williams racing team principal james vowles for being promoted to carlos sainz' pr manager pic.twitter.com/lAxpVSFDAKhttps://t.co/bihyrfswTd

— ces (@gam5bo5) March 16, 2025

The team wasnt sure about what to do during that time, and Sainz was the one who asked the team to change Albon’s tires to Inters as he felt he wouldn't survive in the last few corners. At that crucial point, F1 teams like Ferrari and VCARB didnt call their drivers into the pits. But later they pitted which was costly for them as the three drivers went behind the grid. Ferrari would have won the race if they had listened to Lewis Hamilton’s call to stay a few more laps on the tracks as the rain stopped after a few minutes. On the other side, Williams did a great job, and they are looking like they are running for the top 4 positions this year.

Also Read: 'My heart sank'- WATCH: Anthony Hamilton says why he ran for Isack Hadjar after his crash