DOHA, Nov 30 : Carlos Sainz expected Qatar to be his hardest race of the year and ended up celebrating a surprise second podium of the season that secured fifth place in the championship for his resurgent Williams team.

The Spaniard has now taken twice as many top three placings in 2025 as Lewis Hamilton, the seven-times world champion who replaced him at Ferrari in January and has yet to finish higher than fourth.

"I think it's my proudest day in Williams," he said after finishing third behind Red Bull's race winner Max Verstappen and McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

"Happiest? Maybe Baku, because I was just so happy to get my first podium for the team... I think I feel really proud of everyone. Just very proud of myself but mainly the whole team for the weekend that we've executed."

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