Ferrari endured another difficult Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, deepening concerns about their performance struggles, while a dire Lewis Hamilton Ferrari verdict has emerged regarding the British driver’s prospects. At Baku, Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished eighth and ninth respectively, underlining a weekend marred by strategic confusion and missed opportunities for the iconic team.
Ferrari’s ongoing problems and team dynamics at Baku
The Italy-based media have sharply criticized Ferrari after their lackluster showing at the Azerbaijan GP, where the Scuderia fell short of expectations once again. Despite Hamilton being allowed to overtake teammate Leclerc on fresher tires to challenge competitors ahead, the move failed to produce any gains. The Brit was then told to return the position, but he did not relinquish eighth place before the finish.
Following the race, Leclerc commented on the incident, downplaying the lost position by stating,
“It didn’t happen, and that’s ok. It’s not like I would have been a lot happier being P8, so I don’t mind.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
This episode added to a series of frustrations that have plagued Ferrari, with both the driver pair and team management appearing to struggle to maintain cohesion during race weekends. The race strategy muddle overshadowed a disappointing points haul, extending Ferrari’s woes in the tightly contested Constructors’ Championship.
Italian press delivers scathing judgments on Ferrari and Hamilton’s form
Corriere della Sera’s evaluation was particularly harsh, awarding Ferrari a zero rating and labeling their season so far as a saga of unrelenting misfortune. The publication lamented Ferrari’s initial ambitions to compete vigorously against rivals McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes, only to descend into what it termed a “continuous disaster.”
The report underscored the mounting consequences: the team has lost its grip on second place in the Constructors’ Championship, now trailing Red Bull by 14 points. The criticism extended into social realms, mocking Ferrari after a viral image circulated showing a cat inside Leclerc’s cockpit, jokingly nicknamed “Furrari.”
The article included,
“Another problem is that the Rossa has now become the joke of the web and social networks: a joker posted a photo on Facebook of a cat inside Leclerc’s cockpit, saying that instead of Charles, the paddock cat named Furrari will be racing. So much for the World Championship, we’re down to puns.”
Corriere della Sera, Italian Publication
Hamilton, meanwhile, received a marginally better score of six. The publication reflected on his unfulfilled ambitions, writing,
“He had come to Ferrari to try to win his eighth world title, not to finish eighth in Baku. Sad, lonely and final?”
Corriere della Sera, Italian Publication
This comment suggested a bleak outlook for Hamilton, who at 40 is confronting increasing doubts about his future competitiveness at Ferrari. Leclerc’s rating was lower still, a 5.5, with the press expressing sympathy for the young driver’s mounting frustrations during the weekend.
Leclerc’s frustration and pressure mounting amid tough season
Within Ferrari’s ranks, frustration has spilled over, as illustrated by outspoken remarks from Leclerc during the race weekend. Corriere della Sera quoted him saying,
“I don’t have the patience to pass Lawson and That’s not what I expected from you, but I’ll do it,”
revealing strained team communications during the challenging Azerbaijan event.
The publication further dramatized the contrast in expectations and reality by stating,
“From Friday’s dreams to Saturday and Sunday’s nightmares: the Witches’ Castle has swallowed up the Little Prince.”
These words underscored how quickly optimism has faded for the Ferrari driver at this critical stage of the championship.
Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton going forward
Ferrari’s continuing difficulties not only compromise their position in this year’s title fight but risk demoralizing team members and fans alike as they trail key rivals. Hamilton’s struggle to deliver on the high hopes pinned on him upon joining Ferrari raises questions about his coming seasons and whether the partnership will endure under mounting pressure.
The team faces a pivotal period where strategic clarity, driver morale, and technical upgrades must all align to prevent further erosion of their competitive standing. The gap to Red Bull and other front-runners widens, highlighting that Ferrari’s quest to reclaim past glories remains fraught with obstacles.
