Lewis Hamilton has highlighted the deepening challenges Ferrari faces following a disappointing Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, casting doubt on their championship hopes. Despite strong moments during practice and qualifying sessions, the Ferrari team struggled to convert potential into success on race day, signaling persistent issues as the Formula 1 season advances.
Practice and Qualifying Raise Hopes but Results Disappoint
Ferrari entered the Azerbaijan GP weekend with cautious optimism after Hamilton posted the fastest time in the second Free Practice session, closely followed by teammate Charles Leclerc. However, the positive momentum was short-lived. Hamilton failed to advance past Q2 in qualifying, while Leclerc suffered a crash in Q3 that forced him to start from tenth on the grid.
Despite these setbacks, Hamilton showed determination during the race, improving his position to finish eighth. Leclerc finished just behind in ninth place. Yet, Ferrari’s inability to transform their pace into better race day outcomes continued to frustrate the team and fans alike.
Hamilton’s Candid Assessment of Ferrari’s Performance Issues
After the race, the seven-time world champion openly criticized the Ferrari SF-25’s handling, particularly under braking. Hamilton admitted,
I think there’s still some improvements to make in terms of how aggressive I can be,
highlighting the limitations he felt while pushing the car.
He went on to explain,
The car has been quite snappy, so still not 100% confident under braking when I’m attacking on the brakes. In the last race, I was, but in this race, I didn’t feel it so much with the setup that we ended up having.
This frank acknowledgment reflects ongoing struggles with the car’s balance and setup that have hindered competitiveness.
Progress Without Results Adds to Ferrari’s Frustration
Hamilton’s remarks underscored a recurring theme for Ferrari—the team has shown technical progress, yet consistent results remain elusive. He noted,
It’s kind of crazy, because we’ve been progressing yet we’ve not had results, really in the last few races. But there’s not like no progress so I think we’re able to do a good weekend and a good result,
suggesting cautious optimism amid growing pressure.
Currently, Hamilton stands sixth in the Drivers’ Championship with 121 points, trailing his teammate Leclerc by 44 points. Closing this gap is crucial for Ferrari if they intend to maintain a genuine title challenge this season.
Ferrari Faces mounting Pressure Ahead of Upcoming Races
As the Formula 1 calendar moves forward, all eyes will remain on Ferrari to see if they can overcome these issues and reclaim their status as championship contenders. Hamilton’s blunt remarks serve as a clear warning that without swift improvement, Ferrari’s season could unravel further. The team must address these performance deficiencies urgently to keep their championship aspirations alive amidst a fiercely competitive field.
