Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line in eighth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Formula 1, a result reflecting Ferrari’s current struggles in the 2025 season. The seven-time world champion, who led free practice on Friday, saw his expectations crumble during the Baku race. The Italian team, despite a double points finish, ended with Charles Leclerc in ninth, far from the podium that seemed within reach initially.
The Baku street circuit always tests drivers and engineers, with high-speed corners and narrow sections that punish minimal errors. Hamilton, driving the SF-25, felt the car unstable at key moments, especially in aggressive braking zones. He noted that the race setup didn’t deliver the expected balance, leaving Ferrari several steps behind rivals.
The Brit highlighted progress seen in practice but stressed that recent results don’t capture this evolution. McLaren dominated the weekend, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri consolidating their lead in the constructors’ championship. Verstappen, for Red Bull, won the race, extending his advantage in the drivers’ standings.
- Main rivals advanced with recent upgrades, like Red Bull’s improved floor in prior races.
- Ferrari maintained the same technical spec since Monza, prioritizing future tests.
- Hamilton gained positions at the start, moving from 12th to fight in the midfield.
- Leclerc struggled with traffic, limiting his overtaking opportunities.
Free practice performance reveals untapped potential
Free practice in Baku started promisingly for Ferrari. Hamilton posted the fastest time in the second session, with 1m41.293s, ahead of Leclerc by just 0.074s. This mark put the Italians ahead of McLaren and Red Bull, signaling a competitive weekend. The track, known for its mix of fast and technical sectors, favored the SF-25’s aerodynamic setup, which showed stability in corners like the long final straight.
However, the third session confirmed limitations. Norris led with 1m41.223s, followed closely by Verstappen and Piastri. Hamilton was fourth but reported vibrations affecting confidence in low-speed corners. Leclerc, in 10th, faced rear-end balance issues, forcing last-minute adjustments. These signs indicated Ferrari could fight for a top-5, but it hinged on a perfect qualifying.
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) September 23, 2025
The Maranello team opted for soft tires in most race simulations, testing wear over long stints. Hamilton completed 28 laps, with consistent times around 1m44s, but admitted the car “snapped” on corner entries, requiring cautious driving. Leclerc focused on alternative setups, but traffic disrupted several clean laps.
This preparation contrasted with McLaren’s dominance, which introduced floor refinements for better traction. Red Bull, with Verstappen second in practice, benefited from a new aero package tested in Spa. For Ferrari, these sessions were a reminder that small margins define success in Baku.
Team orders controversy stirs paddock tension
During the race, a moment of tension arose between Ferrari’s drivers. The team instructed Leclerc to yield to Hamilton, who was on fresher tires and had potential to attack the front group. The Monegasque complied initially, letting Hamilton take eighth. However, the position wasn’t returned before the checkered flag, sparking frustration over the radio.
Hamilton, aware of the error, plans to apologize personally to Leclerc in the coming days. The incident, while not altering the final result—both outside key points—highlighted internal pressure at Scuderia. On a track where overtaking is rare, such decisions can cost valuable championship positions.
The episode echoed discussions about team hierarchy. With Hamilton new to Ferrari, the dynamic with Leclerc is still settling. Leclerc, who led the championship early in the season, has 165 points, against Hamilton’s 121. Ferrari emphasized that cooperation remains the focus, but incidents like this test team cohesion.
- The radio instruction came on lap 45, with Hamilton 1.5s ahead of Leclerc.
- The Brit tried to open a gap, but traffic with slower cars blocked the move.
- Post-race, Vasseur, the team boss, called a meeting to review communication protocols.
- Similar to Monza, where orders favored Leclerc without controversy.
Hamilton’s adaptation to SF-25 reveals technical challenges
Since joining Ferrari in early 2025, Hamilton has worked to adapt to the SF-25 chassis. The car, designed with Leclerc’s aggressive style in mind, demands precise braking, an area where the seven-time champion still seeks full confidence. In Baku, he described the car as “snappy,” especially in high-downforce setups.
Progress has come in stages. In China, Hamilton won the sprint race, marking his first victory for the team. However, in main grands prix, podiums have eluded him, with a best of fifth in Hungary. He attributes some difficulties to transitioning from Mercedes’ software and culture, underestimated by both him and boss Fred Vasseur.
In post-season tests, Hamilton provided feedback on power steering and rear suspension, influencing Monza updates. In Baku, however, the lack of track-specific refinements limited pace. He managed tire wear but lacked speed to overtake Lawson or Tsunoda ahead.
This adaptation is reflected in telemetry data. Hamilton loses time in traction zones, where the SF-25 prioritizes quick rotation. Compared to his 2024 Mercedes, his smoother style contrasts with the Italian car’s rigidity, requiring ongoing adjustments.
Tire strategy shapes Baku race outcomes
Tire choices defined Ferrari’s weekend. Hamilton started on mediums, switching to hards on lap 18, a stop that briefly put him in 10th. The strategy aimed for a long final stint, but a safety car on lap 32 forced a rethink, with Leclerc opting for fresh softs. This allowed recovery, but the Monegasque struggled with overheating in the last 10 laps.
Pirelli provided three compounds for Baku: C3 (hard), C4 (medium), and C5 (soft), with the latter wearing quickly on the main straight. Hamilton managed hards well, posting 1m43.8s in clean stints, but lost grip late, letting Albon close in. Leclerc, on softs, gained in low-speed corners but was neutralized by traffic.
Compared to rivals, McLaren used a single medium-hard stop, ideal for Piastri before his crash. Verstappen, the winner, alternated hards-softs, leveraging a 12-lap offset. Ferrari’s conservative strategy avoided risks but cost positions against Mercedes and Williams, who gambled with late softs.
- Average stint length: hards for 25 laps, mediums for 18, softs for 12.
- Hamilton used 1.2 sets of softs, focusing on qualifying.
- Leclerc faced tire blistering after lap 40, forcing defensive driving.
- Team plans simulations for Singapore, emphasizing thermal management.
Rivals surge as Ferrari eyes distant horizons
McLaren extended its constructors’ championship lead to 41 points over Ferrari after Baku. Norris scored 12 points with seventh, while Piastri retired early due to a collision. This dominance stems from continuous upgrades, like the Zandvoort-tested floor, boosting downforce in slow corners.
Red Bull, with Verstappen first and Tsunoda sixth, closed to 14 points behind Ferrari. The Dutchman benefited from enhanced brakes, reducing lock-ups in Baku. Mercedes, third overall, saw Russell in second and Antonelli in fourth, thanks to a hybrid package optimized for street tracks.
Hamilton acknowledged rivals’ upgrades in post-race comments, noting Red Bull’s prior-race floor improvements added 0.3s per lap. Ferrari, without new parts since Monza, relies on operational tweaks for the seven remaining races. Vasseur confirmed budget allows minor adjustments, like track-specific wings.
In the drivers’ standings, Piastri leads with 324 points, followed by Norris (299) and Verstappen (255). Hamilton, sixth with 121, needs consistency to challenge Leclerc. Williams surprised with Sainz’s third-place podium, highlighting midfield competitiveness.
Singapore preparation tests Scuderia’s resilience
The calendar offers a break until the Singapore GP, October 3-5. Hamilton will use the time for analysis in Maranello, focusing on Marina Bay setups. The SF-25 showed strength there in 2024, with Leclerc on the podium, but demands energy management in night traffic.
The team plans virtual telemetry tests, simulating frequent safety car scenarios in Singapore. Hamilton stressed qualifying importance, where starting positions set the pace. With Leclerc strong in urban poles, the Brit aims to align his style with the iconic turn 10.
Rivals like McLaren prepare diffuser tweaks for high humidity, while Red Bull tests heat-resistant brakes. Ferrari, without major upgrades, bets on flawless execution. Vasseur will meet engineers to review Baku, prioritizing team order communication.
- Singapore has 23 corners, emphasizing traction out of turn 14.
- Average night temperature of 30°C impacts brake cooling.
- Hamilton won there in 2009 and 2018 with Mercedes.
- Leclerc aims to repeat his 2023 pole.
Internal evolution fuels cautious optimism
Internally, Ferrari accelerates Hamilton’s input for the 2026 car. The driver influences suspension and power steering designs, embedding his “DNA” for smoother setups. With the project 70% complete, engineers split time between 2025 and the regulatory reset, which scraps DRS and introduces active aero.
Vasseur praised Hamilton’s integration, noting simulator session gains. Despite current frustrations, the Brit sees progress in aerodynamic balance. The team tests carry-over mechanical parts, like rear suspension, for resource savings.
Paddock rumors about Vasseur’s future circulate, but he reaffirms commitment to the constructors’ title. With McLaren distant, the goal is P2 over Mercedes and Red Bull. Hamilton reiterated that better qualifying opens doors to strong results.
This transitional phase tests Scuderia’s patience but strengthens 2026 foundations. With a power unit sans MGU-H and boosted MGU-K power, Ferrari races to ensure reliability. Clients like Haas and Cadillac rely on timely deliveries.
