The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2025 was one of the most chaotic races in the 2025 season so far, and while all the drivers gave it their all, this weekend, the Driver of the Day went to a totally unexpected but well-deserved driver. It’s even more remarkable because Baku’s circuit is notoriously famous for catching out the best and brightest thanks to its brutal walls and tricky conditions.
Many drivers found themselves hugging the barriers or worse this weekend, but one driver’s racecraft kept him out of trouble, an impressive turnaround from his previous misfortunes with his team this season. So, who exactly became the Driver of the Day in Baku? Let’s end your misery.
Driver Of The Day At Baku: Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz took the crown as the Driver of the Day at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, and honestly, it was well deserved. After a rough first season with Williams, Sainz finally struck gold by securing his maiden podium for the team, breaking a drought that had stretched since 2021. This wasn’t just any podium, either; it was a spectacular drive through the unforgiving, twisty streets of Baku, where many faltered and crashed.
Who Was In The Competition
Carlos Sainz not only qualified a stellar P2, but he also managed to keep his cool throughout the race under immense pressure, ultimately finishing P3. That calm was exactly what made him stand out and earn those fan votes, snagging 28.6% of the Driver of the Day tally, beating even race winner Max Verstappen, who took 18.5%.
Max Verstappen, who also delivered a faultless performance from pole position, locked in his sixth career grand slam by winning the race with pole, fastest lap, and leading every lap. Yet, Verstappen’s dominance on the track this weekend didn’t translate into the top fan votes for Driver of the Day; it seems his consistency is becoming the expected baseline while Sainz’s rare podium glory captured the crowd’s imagination more vividly.
Other notable mentions included George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who picked up 8.3% each in the vote, thanks to solid drives in their Mercedes cars. Liam Lawson’s gutsy race, finishing fifth for Racing Bulls, earned a respectable 7.4%, reflecting his growing reputation as a rising star. But none came close to the enthusiasm the fans had for Sainz’s breakthrough moment.
Also read: Can Max Verstappen Win The Driver’s Championship 2025
