The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and thrilling racing adventure. With Verstappen taking pole but not before the qualifying produced as many as six red flags on Saturday, the streets of Baku could well bring up another surprise result at a track that’s been stranger to quite a few stunning outcomes in the past. Red Bull Racing team has been the most successful Constructor here in the past with four race wins. Ferrari has enjoyed four consecutive pole positions in the past, but hasn’t ever tasted victory at this venue. What you see isn’t necessarily what you get at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. So what possible outcomes could one expect in Sunday’s belter?
A straightforward podium for Carlos Sainz?
Sainz has endured a difficult first season with Williams (Image Courtesy: F1 Chronicle)
A first podium is always special for any driver. Sainz has 27 to his name already. But none with Williams. Moreover, he’s endured a difficult first season with the iconic British constructor. With only 16 points to his name from as many races, 2025 hasn’t really been Carlos Sainz Jr.’s year. But all of that could change in what lies ahead. After he bagged a strong P2 in qualifying as seen on Saturday, all the Madrid-born would now want is a super Sunday. And that will likely happen in what lies ahead. Carlos Sainz has excelled previously at street tracks. His 2023 win at Singapore was one of his most notable career victories ever. That was followed by an inspiring triumph the very next year at Melbourne. Even as Verstappen will make it hard for the former Ferrari driver to waltz ahead, it is likely that the Williams driver will hold on to a fighting podium finish using all his experience and racecraft. The only factor that must, however, work in his favour is luck, which hasn’t been on his side all that much. At times, incidents and other occasions, ill-timed moves have had the better of him.
A strong recovery drive for Ferrari
Saturday was a hugely disappointing day in the field for both Ferrari drivers. Not only did Sir Lewis Hamilton fail to qualify for Q2, his teammate, Charles Leclerc went into the barriers at a high speed corner, thereby exacerbating the woes for a team desperately looking for some improvement.But what’s done is done; one can always begin again and begin strongly, which is what Ferrari will likely do in the next few hours. It is highly likely that both Leclerc and Hamilton will finish in points backed by the relentless drive to improve over their horrible qualifying result. With four poles here in the past, Leclerc knows a thing or two about overtaking and making moves at the exciting race course. On the other hand, Sir Lewis Hamilton, still seeking for a first podium in red, will try to up his game and use all that wealth of experience to mount a strong recovery drive.
Mercedes could spoil the day for Red Bull
Max Verstappen begins the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on pole and does stand a great chance to take the checkered flag in round seventeen. The Dutch driver has been in sensational form as seen at Monza most recently, where he took his third win of the season. But Baku presents an entirely different challenge altogether. Fast but constricted for space, it is a street cage of sorts, isn’t it? Having aced qualifying on Saturday, Verstappen will be keen to bag what could be only his second race win ever at Azerbaijan. But will that even happen?Mercedes might just swing past their rivals up in front to spoil the day for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. We have to remember that Kimi Antonelli and George Russell beginning from fourth and fifth, respectively, do have a formidable chance to gain track position at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, especially because of the strong race pace they tend to enjoy on most Sundays.Bagging poles at Baku is a massive advantage because overtaking here is hard, if not impossible.But does it guarantee a race win? The driver with most poles at the venue is Charles Leclerc, but how many times has he won from pole? The answer is never.Moreover, making moves over their immediate challengers out in front might not be the hardest thing to do for Mercedes. Purely on race pace and dominant form, they might not take a lot of time to get past the Racing Bull and the Williams to pile on the pressure on the Red Bull. At best, both Verstappen and Tsunoda will finish in points, provided both cars are backed by efficient race strategies.