Williams became the latest midfield team to score a podium in 2025 as Carlos Sainz finished a brilliant P3 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Things seemed to finally come together for the Spaniard at Williams after moving from Ferrari over the winter. He had scored only 16 points before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Teammate Alex Albon has largely outperformed him as the 30-year-old has struggled to adapt to the FW47 and the new operation at Grove. Williams are not panicking about Sainz’s slow start; Baku was just the revival he needed.
Qualifying saw multiple stoppages for red flags as several cars found the barriers. Sainz looked like he was on for his maiden pole position for Williams until Max Verstappen dethroned him in the closing stages.
Lining up P2, the Spaniard maintained a strong pace throughout the event. Despite being overcut by George Russell, he kept his cool to finish an incredible third.
James Vowles said Williams had the ‘ingredients’ for podiums in 2025 – Carlos Sainz turned that to reality in Baku
Sainz’s result marks Williams’ first podium since 2021, where Russell finished P2 at the rain-soaked Belgian GP. It cements the Grove outfit’s position in fifth in the constructors’ championship.
In many ways, the team’s performance in 2025 has been a surprise. Williams have been mainly focused on 2026 and the new technical regulations in a bid to gain a head start on their rivals.
Albon and Sainz have been frustrated by Williams’ decision to prioritise next season at some stages this year, as they believed that the FW47 had potential for strong results. The latter proved that in Baku, and team principal James Vowles suspected that before the season.
Vowles said Williams had the ‘ingredients’ for podiums in 2025 after signing Sainz to partner with Albon. With two experienced drivers with proven track records, they have all they need to fight at the front in the future, and the Spaniard’s podium at Baku is just the start.
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F1 key figures react to Carlos Sainz’s first podium for Williams at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Sainz’s Baku podium was a much-needed confidence boost, having not scored points in the previous six races. It has propelled him up the pecking order, with several figures coming together to offer their congratulations.
George Russell lauded Sainz’s ‘amazing’ result in Baku immediately after the race. The Spaniard described it as the best podium of his career over the radio.
Former Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc reacted to Sainz’s podium over his radio, applauding the ‘good job’ he did in the race. Interestingly, he has scored his first podium for Williams before his replacement Lewis Hamilton has in Maranello.
Damon Hill and Sergio Perez congratulated Sainz on social media. The Spaniard will be hoping to continue the momentum in the final seven races.