Carlos Sainz secured a significant milestone with his Williams team by claiming a podium finish at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, marking his first podium of the season and the team’s first since 2021. This achievement contributed valuable points to Williams Racing, underscoring a hopeful turnaround amid a challenging year.
Williams Racing’s Breakthrough at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Starting the race on the front row alongside Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz entered the event with strong expectations for a competitive showing. Early in the race, the retirement of Oscar Piastri after a crash increased Sainz’s opportunity to maintain a top-three position. Despite losing third place to George Russell mid-race, Sainz fought hard to secure the final podium spot, earning 15 vital points for the team. Meanwhile, his teammate Alex Albon finished 13th, but his unwavering support was on full display as he joined in the post-race celebration.
Williams Racing team principal James Vowles praised Albon’s team spirit and commitment. He said,
“Yeah, this is what I love about this team,”
and added,
“It is a team and exactly in that way. And before I knew it, Alex had literally jumped out the car and ended up just behind me. He wants this team to be successful and he was there to celebrate by our side.”
Sainz’s Revival on the Podium After a Difficult Season Stretch
This podium held special significance for Sainz, who had struggled to score points after the Canadian Grand Prix despite earlier consistency in the season. Challenges and performance setbacks made it difficult for him to add to his points tally until this race. The podium in Baku represented a crucial return to form for the Spanish driver and a boost for the entire Williams team.

Williams’ Surprise Podium Reflects Strong Midfield Performance
While Williams Racing has accumulated more points than in the previous five seasons combined, clinching a podium finish was unexpected. The team’s midseason success largely stemmed from the consistent results brought by both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, who extracted maximum performance from their car. Yet, securing a top-three position amidst tough competition was a breakthrough beyond prior expectations.
Sainz expressed immense happiness about his result.
“Honestly, I cannot describe how happy I am or how good this feels,”
he said.
“It tastes even better than the first-ever podium that I did. We’ve been fighting hard all year and, finally today, we just proved that when we have the speed. We’ve had it all year, and when everything comes together, we can do some amazing things together.”
He further added,
“We nailed the race – not one mistake, and we managed to beat a lot of cars that, yesterday, I wasn’t expecting to beat.”
Williams’ Strong Championship Position and Future Outlook
Currently fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, Williams enjoys a comfortable lead over Racing Bulls, having surpassed the 100-point mark for the first time since the 2016 season with a total of 101 points. This podium finish cements their upward trajectory, suggesting that Williams might continue to challenge the midfield teams as the season progresses.
The collaboration between drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, backed by the strategic guidance of team principal James Vowles, illustrates a cohesive unit determined to push the team forward. The team’s ability to deliver consistent finishes and seize opportunities on race day could prove crucial for their championship ambitions as the calendar advances.