Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend after a poor qualifying performance left him struggling on race day in Baku. The seven-time world champion‘s inability to secure the optimal tire choice during qualifying drastically affected his starting position and ultimately his race result, prompting calls for Hamilton to accept greater responsibility for the errors in qualifying.
Hamilton’s trouble began in Q2 of qualifying, where he failed to get his car within the ideal performance window on the soft tires while many of his competitors opted for medium tires, which appeared to provide a distinct advantage. This strategic misstep led to his early elimination from the session and locked him into a compromised grid spot. Despite finishing eighth in the race, it was clear that better tire management could have delivered a much stronger result.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has criticized Hamilton for not exerting enough control over his tire selection and the setup decisions that determine qualifying success. Schumacher argued that with Hamilton’s extensive experience and status as a seven-time world champion, the responsibility ultimately lies with the driver to demand what’s needed from the team during qualifying ledgers. He emphasized how important it is for a driver to assert themselves and make final decisions based on their understanding of the car and track conditions.
“He has to take the blame himself, with his experience and his power. I wasn’t a seven-time world champion; I only won a few races, but if I wanted a certain tyre, I got it. There were no discussions at all. Ultimately, the driver is the one who has to implement it, of course, knowing best what the conditions are like out there and who can best assess himself and the car. A normal engineer would never interfere with a driver’s performance.”
— Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
“Lewis has to assert himself and not look for the mistake elsewhere. Then qualifying will look different – that’s what you’d expect from a seven-time world champion.”
— Ralf Schumacher, Former F1 Driver
Hamilton’s struggles in Azerbaijan come during a pivotal phase of the 2025 Formula 1 season, his first with Ferrari. The British driver joined Scuderia Ferrari with high ambitions of competing for the world championship title again, which he last seriously contested in 2021. However, the combination of Ferrari’s inconsistent pace relative to rival teams and Hamilton’s own mixed form has prevented the partnership from delivering the top-tier results anticipated at the season’s start.
Hamilton’s Determination to Improve as Season Progresses
After the disappointing weekend in Baku, Hamilton remains focused on turning around his fortunes and maximizing his performance in upcoming races. He expressed a commitment to improving qualifying performance and acknowledged the efforts of his Ferrari team throughout the weekend despite the challenges.
“We’re going to be focused on how we can improve our qualifying performance over the coming weeks. The team and the pit crew did a great job today and I’m thankful for their hard work. We’ll regroup and come back stronger in Singapore.”
— Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Driver
The complexity of Hamilton’s situation was further compounded by a controversy during the Azerbaijan GP, where team orders were issued for him to let his teammate Charles Leclerc pass. Hamilton did not comply with this directive, which reportedly left Leclerc disappointed. Nevertheless, the Monegasque driver showed little outward frustration given the generally poor weekend both Ferraris had in Baku.
This episode highlights ongoing internal tensions within Ferrari, as both drivers seek to extract the best possible results amid a fiercely competitive season. The implications of such intra-team conflicts could affect Ferrari’s overall championship aspirations as the year progresses.
Context of Hamilton’s Struggles Within the Current F1 Landscape
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a test of resilience and adaptability for Hamilton as he aims to reclaim championship contention with Ferrari. After a stellar career predominantly with Mercedes, Hamilton’s adjustment to the Scuderia has faced hurdles, both in terms of car performance and strategic execution during races and qualifying sessions.
His difficulties in Baku emphasize the fine margins at the elite level of Formula 1, where decisions on tire strategy and qualifying approach can make or break a race weekend. The need for Hamilton to take clear ownership of these race-critical elements is now under intense scrutiny from former champions and experts alike.
As the team prepares to head to Singapore, expectations are mounting for a more decisive and confident Hamilton who can leverage his vast experience to influence both car setup and race tactics positively. Improving qualifying results remain crucial for enabling better race day performances, which could ultimately impact Hamilton’s chances of mounting a genuine title challenge.
With intense pressure on both driver and team to perform, the coming weeks will reveal whether Hamilton can deliver the consistency and leadership required to bounce back from Baku’s setbacks and keep Ferrari’s championship hopes alive.
