Carlos Sainz secured Williams their first full-race podium in eight years during the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, breaking a streak that had lasted since 2017. This remarkable achievement, highlighted by Sainz’s third-place finish from the front row, demonstrated a significant turnaround for the Grove-based team under principal James Vowles.
Sainz’s podium finish is not only his first of the 2025 season but also his inaugural one with Williams, marking a pivotal moment for the team since Vowles assumed leadership in 2023. Having previously played a key role in Mercedes’ dominance as Motorsport Strategy Director, Vowles has repeatedly emphasized the importance of restoring confidence within Williams, and Sunday’s podium validated that effort.
The Rise of Williams Under James Vowles’s Leadership
Before moving to Williams, James Vowles was an essential figure at Mercedes, where he contributed to their dominant run of eight titles during the hybrid era. Transitioning from a powerhouse team to overseeing a rebuild at Williams represented a new challenge, but Sunday’s result clearly reflected his commitment and strategy taking effect. After the race, Vowles expressed his pride and excitement on social media.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a few podiums in my career, but this is one I’ll remember forever. We earned this together as a team – a team that, in recent years, has been at the back, fighting just to survive, and now has battled its way back into this position.” James Vowles, Williams Principal
His enthusiasm continued as he looked ahead to celebratory moments back at the factory, showing how much the team’s effort means to him.
“For now, I can’t wait to get back to the factory on Monday with the trophy and feel the roof come off the place. This result is a reward for the incredible dedication of the entire workforce, who give so much of their lives to this team,” James Vowles, Williams Principal
Vowles recently secured a contract extension, highlighting the team’s confidence in his leadership as they push forward.
Carlos Sainz’s Composed Drive in a Chaotic Baku Weekend
From the outset of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, Carlos Sainz demonstrated strong form with solid practice sessions, culminating in a composed and impressive qualifying performance under challenging conditions to claim second position on the grid. On race day, Sainz managed his tires masterfully, starting on Medium compounds and later switching to Hard tires, weathering early pressure from Liam Lawson while maintaining consistent pace.
Despite George Russell overtaking him during the race, Sainz held firm against Andrea Kimi Antonelli to secure third place, ending his dry spell of points finishes with a confident drive that underscored the potential of both driver and car.
“Honestly, I cannot describe how happy I am or how good this feels. 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,” Carlos Sainz, F1 post-race
While Sainz’s race was nearly flawless, teammate Alex Albon experienced mixed fortunes. Albon’s climb through the midfield to eleventh place was undone by a penalty for contact, dropping him to thirteenth. Still, his push late in the race highlighted the encouraging progress Williams is making overall.
The contrasting fortunes within the team served as a reminder of the challenges still ahead, even as they celebrated a historic moment together alongside team principal Vowles.
Williams’ Newfound Competitiveness Signals Renewed Ambition
At the front of the field, Max Verstappen converted his pole position into another victory, continuing his dominant form. Yet for Williams and Carlos Sainz, the story from Baku was about more than just the race winner. The podium finish signaled a new era for the team, illustrating how far they have come from their struggles just a few seasons ago.
This success not only boosts morale within the Williams garage but also sets a clear trajectory for the future, promising stronger performances and greater consistency as the season progresses. The significance of this achievement goes beyond a single race result; it reflects the dedication of the workforce, leadership strategy, and the driver’s determination to push the team back into the spotlight.
Moving forward, Williams will aim to build on this momentum, leveraging the lessons learned in Baku to challenge midfield and front-running teams more regularly. For Sainz, Vowles, and the entire team, the podium is a powerful motivator that reconnects them with their ambitious aspirations.
I’ve been fortunate to have a few podiums in my career, but this is one I’ll remember forever. We earned this together as a team – a team that, in recent years, has been at the back, fighting just to survive, and now has battled its way back into this position.
Carlos delivered… pic.twitter.com/PnDVQ7EwCw
— James Vowles (@JV_F1) September 21, 2025
