Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen claimed back-to-back victories at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, dominating from pole position to win by 14.609 seconds over George Russell's Mercedes. The Dutchman's fourth win of 2025 came on the streets of Baku, as he controlled the race with clinical precision through the high-speed straights and tight castle section. Russell secured second place for Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz delivered a remarkable podium finish for Williams, the Spaniard claiming third place in his first season with the Grove-based team.

Verstappen's victory was never in doubt after he seized control at the start, building an insurmountable advantage through superior race pace and tire management. Russell's second place gave Mercedes valuable points in their battle with Ferrari for the constructors' championship, though he lacked the pace to challenge the flying Red Bull. Sainz's podium provided Williams with their first top-three finish since 2021, the former Ferrari driver expertly navigating Baku's treacherous walls to claim an emotional result. The McLarens endured a nightmare weekend, with both Piastri and Norris finishing outside the podium positions after struggling with setup and race incidents.

The Azerbaijan result transformed the championship battle, as Verstappen's consecutive dominant victories slashed the gap to the McLaren drivers. With Piastri and Norris both failing to score significant points, Verstappen emerged as a genuine title contender with four races remaining. The Dutchman's resurgence, coupled with McLaren's sudden vulnerability, set up a thrilling championship finale across the season's concluding flyaway races. Sainz's Williams podium proved that driver quality could still shine through even in less competitive machinery.