Carlos Sainz Secures First Podium with Williams at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz achieved a significant milestone by securing his first podium finish with Williams Racing at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking the team's first podium since 2021. Sainz qualified in second place amid a chaotic qualifying session that saw a record six red flags. He maintained his position during the race, ultimately finishing third behind Max Verstappen and George Russell. This result not only highlights Sainz's driving capabilities but also reflects the progress Williams has made under team principal James Vowles.

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Sainz's journey to this podium has been fraught with challenges since his move from Ferrari to Williams at the start of the 2025 season. Despite showing competitive pace throughout the year, he struggled to convert that speed into results due to a series of unfortunate incidents. His third-place finish in Baku nearly doubled his points tally for the season, bringing him to 31 points and elevating him to 12th in the Drivers' Championship. Sainz expressed immense joy over the podium, stating, “Honestly, I cannot describe how happy I am, how good this feels. This is even better than my first ever podium.”

James Vowles, who took over as team principal in 2023, celebrated this achievement as a testament to the team's hard work and resilience. He remarked, “Carlos delivered a phenomenal race — an exceptional drive from start to finish, and a joy to watch.” Vowles emphasized that this podium is a significant step forward for Williams, which has been focused on rebuilding after years of underperformance.

Williams podium sweeter than his first: "This team's on the rise'

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Sainz's teammate, Alex Albon, faced difficulties during the race, finishing in 13th place after a penalty for an early collision. Albon acknowledged Sainz's success, stating, “Firstly, I'm really happy for Carlos. He drove a very solid weekend from qualifying to the race.” However, some fans expressed frustration over the disparity in results between the two drivers, highlighting Albon's consistent pace compared to Sainz's previous struggles.

Sainz remains optimistic about the future, indicating that the Baku podium could be a turning point for both him and Williams. He noted, “I always believed in this project. This is my life project. If I manage to bring Williams back to being competitive and winning races, it’s everything that I care about.” With the team focusing on the upcoming 2026 regulations, Sainz's performance in Baku may serve as a foundation for future successes.

ESPN

• “This one means even more just because, obviously, a year ago when I put my bet on Williams, and I said I'm going to this team because I truly believe in this project, and I truly believe that this team is on the rise,” — Carlos Sainz, Williams Driver

ESPN

• “Carlos delivered a phenomenal race — an exceptional drive from start to finish, and a joy to watch.” — James Vowles, Team Principal

REPORT: Back on the Podium in Baku

• “I think life has taught me many times that this sometimes happens — that you have a run of misfortune or bad performances, but then suddenly life gives you back if you keep working hard with something really sweet like this.” — Carlos Sainz, Williams Driver

Why Azerbaijan P3 ‘means more than first podium’ for Carlos Sainz

Sainz's podium at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix not only signifies a personal triumph but also represents a hopeful resurgence for Williams Racing. As the team looks to build on this momentum, Sainz's performance may pave the way for future successes in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.

Why Azerbaijan P3 ‘means more than first podium’ for Carlos Sainz