Lewis Hamilton will begin the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from an unexpected 12th position on the grid after a turbulent qualifying session in Baku. Despite the disappointing start, Hamilton remains cautiously optimistic, believing that strong Lewis Hamilton Azerbaijan qualifying pace and strategic opportunities could help him recover during the race.
Hamilton Reflects on Qualifying and Missed Pole Opportunity
Hamilton expressed surprise at his qualifying result given his confidence in the car’s performance throughout the weekend.
“I honestly thought I was going to be fighting for the top three today,”
he said.
“I thought I might be able to get pole today, that’s how much – I’ve not felt that all year.”
Rather than blaming his own driving, Hamilton attributed the setback to execution errors from his team.
“It’s definitely tough to be in 12th, but as I said, I don’t think that’s from my driving, it’s just execution needed to be better.”
He emphasized that these issues hindered his chances of securing a stronger starting position despite the evident potential of the Ferrari.
Race Strategy and Optimism Amid Challenging Circumstances
Although starting amid the high-risk midfield cluster, Hamilton is determined to leverage Baku’s long final straight to maneuver through traffic and advance places. He highlighted the unpredictability of the Azerbaijan GP, noting that race incidents and safety cars often shape outcomes.
“It’s a great race this one. So, I’m really hoping my pace was decent on P2, race pace, we were quickest. So, I’m really hoping tomorrow that we’ve got decent pace, good straightline speed, we should hopefully be able to fight cars.”
He added,
“You know, so much can happen here with safety cars and all sorts of strategy can really come into play. So, I’m just going to come into it as optimistic as possible, and I’m still going to try and get into the top three. That’s been my goal all week.”
Hamilton’s willingness to battle forward contrasts with his struggles so far this season with Ferrari, a team that has yet to deliver him a podium finish. This shift in attitude underscores a new sense of hope despite ongoing challenges.
Learning from Mistakes and Future Adaptations
Hamilton acknowledged areas that have held him back but stressed the team’s clear understanding of the problems encountered.
“Yes, but P2 was my best P2 of the whole year, so I was really feeling positive. I know exactly all the places that have gone wrong in the background, so that’s a positive. So, we know exactly where those are, and I know now what to do moving forward to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
He also noted the difficulty of implementing changes quickly during high-pressure moments.
“Implementing those in the heat of the moment in qualifying is not so easy, but there’s lots we can take internally to improve, and I’m sure we will.”
Competitive Landscape and Teammate’s Position
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc will start 10th, positioning both Ferrari drivers just outside the top ten after a dramatic qualifying session that set a new record for red flags. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed pole position, with Williams’ Carlos Sainz securing the optimistic surprise of the front row alongside him.
The challenging grid setup for Hamilton and Leclerc underscores the tactical battles expected at the Azerbaijan GP, where track incidents, weather conditions, and strategy decisions frequently influence race results. Both drivers will need to capitalize on their cars’ race pace and straight-line speed on Baku’s long straights to carve through the field.
Implications for Hamilton’s Season and Tomorrow’s Race
As the Azerbaijan GP unfolds, Hamilton’s ability to recover from P12 will be critical in stabilizing his season performance and demonstrating Ferrari’s competitiveness at this stage. Starting mid-pack in a chaotic street circuit like Baku is always a significant challenge, but the driver’s optimistic mindset signals a readiness to seize opportunities amid uncertainty.
With a history of unpredictable races at this venue, the combination of potential safety cars and strategic gambles could provide openings for Hamilton to climb into contention despite a less-than-ideal starting spot. His focus on maximizing race pace and maintaining composure will be essential to convert his qualifying disappointment into a strong points finish.
Tomorrow’s race will test whether Ferrari’s recent improvements and Hamilton’s resilient approach can overcome the obstacles presented by the tricky qualifying session and fierce competition on the grid.
