Overview

• The Spaniard finished third behind Max Verstappen and George Russell in Azerbaijan after an assured drive.
• The result delivered Williams’ first podium since the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix and their first full‑distance race podium since 2017.
• The sticker came from a young fan’s submission to Williams’ Call Carbono series asking Sainz to wear it on his helmet.
• Verstappen noticed the mascot in the cool‑down room, George Russell quipped it has to stay, and team boss James Vowles showcased it on the trophy in a post‑race video.
• The podium ended Sainz’s scoreless run, lifted him from 18th to 12th in the drivers’ standings, and kept Williams fifth by 29 points over Racing Bulls.