Scuderia Ferrari endured a disappointing Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both struggled in qualifying and the race itself. The controversial moment came on the final lap when Hamilton did not comply with team orders to return a position to Leclerc. This incident involving the Charles Leclerc position swap has sparked sharp criticism from former Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner.
Details of the Position Swap Controversy at the Azerbaijan GP
During the race, Ferrari permitted Lewis Hamilton to overtake Charles Leclerc, as Hamilton was on fresher tires and the team believed this would help him make up ground on rival drivers. Unfortunately, Hamilton was unable to gain any places in the remaining laps. In the closing moments of the race, Ferrari instructed Hamilton to relinquish the position back to Leclerc. However, the 40-year-old Hamilton was too slow to react and crossed the finish line just under half a second ahead of his teammate.
Following the race, Hamilton admitted that he was “zoned out,” leading to the mishandling of the situation. He ended the race in eighth place, while Leclerc finished ninth. The outcome left the Monegasque driver visibly dissatisfied with how the situation was handled by both his teammate and the team.
Former Haas Boss Guenther Steiner Criticizes Ferrari’s Performance
Guenther Steiner did not hold back in his assessment of Ferrari’s overall showing at the Azerbaijan GP. He stated that the Italian team had performed below expectations, citing their failure to compete effectively against front-runners Mercedes and Red Bull. Additionally, Steiner was appalled by Ferrari being beaten by mid-field teams Racing Bulls and Williams. The position swap chaos on the final lap further fueled his condemnation.
Steiner asserted that Hamilton appeared to be disengaged when asked to give the spot back to Leclerc, as the Briton was “focused on something else.” This, according to Steiner, was symbolic of Ferrari’s troubled weekend and their broader struggles this season.
“I think we have to give the loser [award] this time to Ferrari, because eighth and ninth, beaten by Racing Bulls, beaten by Williams. The mess, not to let Charles past at the end, Lewis falling asleep to let him by because he was focused on something else.” Guenther Steiner said, as quoted by F1i.com
Ferrari’s Struggles and Urgency to Rebound in 2025 Season
The ongoing troubles at Ferrari have dampened hopes that arose with Lewis Hamilton joining the team for the 2025 season. Hamilton had ambitions of challenging for the title, but after just seven races remaining, his results are underwhelming with no podium finishes except for a sprint race victory in China.
Steiner emphasized that Ferrari needs a strong wake-up call if it hopes to secure second place in the constructors’ championship. Unlike McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes, Ferrari remains the only top-four team without a race win this season. Steiner pointed out that Mercedes could potentially overtake Ferrari in the standings if they capitalize on upcoming races.
“They need a wake up call if they want to finish second, which will be very difficult because Mercedes won races, Red Bull won races, Ferrari haven’t won a race yet. Any of the three, they are so close together, it’s too early to call it. If Mercedes has a good race and they win a race, and Kimi can score some points, they can be in front.” Guenther Steiner explained
Implications for Ferrari and What Lies Ahead
Both Hamilton and Leclerc are experiencing a challenging year, and Ferrari is struggling to arrange their strategies and performances effectively. The position swap debacle in Baku has only heightened internal friction within the team. With the season nearing its conclusion, the coming races will be critical for Ferrari to recover form and restore harmony before 2025 finishes.
The Scuderia must quickly address the communication and execution issues that led to this mishap if they want to remain competitive in the constructors’ battle and meet the high expectations set at the start of the season. The situation continues to develop as the team prepares for crucial upcoming events in Maranello.
