At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ferrari once again experienced a challenging race, with neither Charles Leclerc nor Lewis Hamilton managing to compete for a podium finish. The drivers ended up in P9 and P8 respectively, overshadowed by a controversial late-race driver swap that left tensions high, particularly for Leclerc. The incident centered around a strategic position exchange designed to capitalize on Hamilton’s tire advantage, but it ultimately unraveled due to miscommunication and a driver’s misjudgment.
Details Behind the Late Race Position Swap Between Leclerc and Hamilton
During the final stage of the race, Ferrari instructed Charles Leclerc to relinquish the P8 spot to Lewis Hamilton, who had fresher tires and was deemed more capable of improving the team’s standing by overtaking rivals ahead. The strategy aimed to push Hamilton to challenge drivers like Lando Norris and others for a higher finishing place. Unfortunately, the plan did not succeed as intended.
Hamilton was subsequently asked to revert the position, giving it back to Leclerc once it became clear that overtaking on the track would prove difficult. However, Hamilton failed to surrender the place, explaining that he had lost track of the timing and position near the finish line. Leclerc expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, feeling disadvantaged by the uncertain instructions and the timing of the swap.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur provided insight into the decision-making behind the swap, emphasizing it was clear from the team’s perspective that Hamilton’s tire condition offered better prospects for moving up the field. Vasseur explained that the team’s strategy was contingent on Hamilton leveraging that advantage to fight for a better position on track.
“I think the situation was clear for us that Lewis had a tire advantage and we asked Charles to let him go to try to overtake Lawson and Tsunoda or Norris.” Fred Vasseur said, as reported by motorsport.com
Vasseur also confirmed the team’s request for Hamilton and Leclerc to swap back, an action prompted once Hamilton’s chances of gaining a better finish diminished. The team principal attributed the failure to complete this reverse swap to Hamilton’s misjudgment of the start/finish line location. This miscalculation prevented Hamilton from yielding the position back to Leclerc in time, fueling dissatisfaction within the team.
“We asked to swap back and it looks like Lewis had a misjudgment on the position of the start and finish line.” Fred Vasseur added
Despite the internal confusion, Leclerc criticized the overall competitiveness of Ferrari’s SF-25, considering a top-10 finish insufficient for the team’s ambitions. The drivers’ struggles at the Azerbaijan GP underscored the broader challenges Ferrari is facing in maintaining pace with leading teams.
Lewis Hamilton Admits Challenges in Fully Committing Behind the Wheel
Since joining Ferrari with high hopes of capturing an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, Lewis Hamilton has encountered difficulties adapting to the SF-25 car. His remarks following the Azerbaijan GP reflected frustration over the car’s handling characteristics, particularly its “snappy” behavior under braking. Hamilton acknowledged that this instability hindered his confidence and ability to be aggressive in critical braking zones, impacting his overall race performance.
“I think there’s still some improvements to make in terms of how aggressive I can be. The car has been quite snappy, so I’m still not 100% committed and confident on the braking when I’m attacking on the brakes. In the last race I was, but in this race, I didn’t feel so much, with the setup that we ended up having.” Lewis Hamilton said, as reported by adamcooperonf1
Hamilton contrasted the Azerbaijan circuit with the Italian GP in Monza, where he felt more comfortable and better able to push the car to its limits. His comments reveal that despite ongoing adjustments, the SF-25 still requires refinement to meet his driving style and maximize performance.
Ferrari’s Declining Standings and the Pressure to Recover
Ferrari’s recent difficulties have led to a drop in the Constructors’ Championship, with Mercedes overtaking them for second place. Adding to the pressure, Red Bull and Max Verstappen pose a looming threat of claiming third place if Ferrari cannot improve results soon. This rivalry heightens the urgency for both Hamilton and Leclerc to extract maximum performance from their car and regain competitiveness.
The Azerbaijan GP served as a stark reminder of Ferrari’s current struggles, as internal miscommunication and car issues combined to limit the potential for a successful outcome. The team faces a critical period in which they must resolve reliability and strategic flaws to protect their standing in the championship.
Context of the Race and Surrounding Competition
Lewis Hamilton’s attempt to capitalize on a tire advantage during the driver swap was a tactical move intended to secure valuable points, but the execution faltered under race pressure. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc, a crucial team figure, was left frustrated by how the situation unfolded, indicating friction that Ferrari needs to address before future races.
The struggle at Baku is emblematic of broader challenges within Ferrari, as other leading teams like Red Bull continue to demonstrate superior race pace. Max Verstappen’s consistent victories and strategic calls have reshaped the competitive hierarchy, forcing Ferrari and Mercedes to rethink their strategies moving forward.
Hamilton and Leclerc’s ability to navigate the next set of races with improved clarity and car improvements will be key to Ferrari’s chances of holding onto their current championship positions. The team’s technical updates and operational decisions in the coming weeks will heavily influence their trajectory in 2025.
