F1 Azerbaijan GP: Charles Leclerc congratulates Carlos Sainz over team radio after Williams podium. Charles Leclerc congratulated his former teammate Carlos Sainz.

Charles Leclerc celebrates Carlos Sainz after his podium finish in Baku

The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix ended with Max Verstappen taking another dominant win, followed by George Russell in second for Mercedes and Carlos Sainz in third. For the Spaniard, it was a historic podium with Williams, his first for the Grove-based team, and a result that lit up the paddock. Even Charles Leclerc, despite enduring a difficult weekend for Ferrari, could not hide his delight at seeing his former teammate back on the podium.

As his Ferrari SF-25 crossed the finish line in ninth place, Leclerc came on the radio to ask his engineers: “Is Sainz on the podium?”

When the confirmation came through that Carlos Sainz had indeed finished third, the Monegasque driver responded with genuine joy: “Ah, very good.” It was a brief exchange, but one that highlighted the strong bond that remains between the two drivers, even after their professional paths split at the end of 2024.

A special podium for Carlos Sainz and Williams

Carlos Sainz’s third place marked his first podium with Williams and a hugely prestigious milestone for the team. It was also the first time since 2021 that Williams had stood on a Formula 1 podium, making the achievement even more significant. After a challenging start to the season, the result in Baku confirmed the team’s steady progress and ability to take advantage of opportunities in a race full of incidents and unpredictable strategies.

A weekend to forget for Ferrari

While Williams were celebrating, Ferrari had another weekend to put behind them. Lewis Hamilton finished only eighth, with Leclerc in ninth, leaving the Scuderia far from the positions they had hoped to fight for. A double points finish was little consolation for the Maranello squad, who remain in search of a competitive package capable of challenging McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull at the top of the standings.

Leclerc shows his sportsmanship

Despite his personal disappointment, Charles Leclerc made sure to shine a spotlight on Carlos Sainz’s achievement, celebrating his former teammate’s success. His team radio message reflected a rare moment of sportsmanship and camaraderie, making the Spanish driver’s podium in Baku all the more special for fans and for Williams.