BREAKING : Lewis Hamilton has given Scuderia Ferrari a fairly dim prognosis for… Read more
Lewis Hamilton Offers Sobering Ferrari Assessment After Disappointing Baku Weekend
Lewis Hamilton has delivered a sobering evaluation of Scuderia Ferrari’s chances for the rest of the 2025 Formula 1 season, following yet another underwhelming outing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The seven-time World Champion, who joined Ferrari this year amid great anticipation, admitted that the team faces an uphill battle against rivals McLaren and Red Bull, both of whom continue to show stronger pace and more consistent development.
Hamilton’s candid assessment comes at a time when Ferrari appear to be shifting their main focus towards the sweeping regulation changes set to arrive in 2026. While such long-term planning may be prudent, the immediate effect is clear: Ferrari are struggling to remain competitive in a season dominated by the aggressive upgrades of their closest rivals.
The weekend in Baku seemed at first to hold promise. Ferrari topped the timing charts in the early practice sessions, which briefly raised hopes among fans and pundits that the team had found a path back toward the sharp end of the grid. However, reality set in during qualifying, when Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 and Charles Leclerc suffered a crash during his first flying lap in Q3. The optimism that Ferrari might finally break through to challenge the front-runners quickly evaporated.
On race day, things failed to improve significantly. The Ferrari duo were only able to bring their cars home in eighth and ninth place, a result that underlined the team’s ongoing struggle to translate flashes of speed into meaningful points finishes. The highlight—if it could be called that—was Hamilton’s attempt in the closing stages to swap positions with Leclerc in order to give his teammate eighth place. That move ultimately failed, leaving the pair locked in their finishing order and Ferrari once again off the pace compared to their main rivals.
In the broader context of Ferrari’s 2025 season, the outcome in Baku was emblematic of their year so far. There have been glimpses of potential, such as in practice sessions or during short bursts in qualifying, but these moments have not translated into consistent results on Sundays. For a team of Ferrari’s stature and history, the lack of progress has been disappointing, though Hamilton was quick to note that expectations have now shifted.
“It’s obviously frustrating,” Hamilton admitted in post-race comments, “but we also know where the team’s focus is. 2026 is around the corner, and the resources are going there. That doesn’t make the present any easier, but it’s part of the bigger picture.” His words reflect both a realism about Ferrari’s short-term prospects and a recognition that they are playing a long game.
Still, the situation raises questions. While Ferrari may be looking ahead to 2026, their rivals are not standing still. McLaren, in particular, have been relentless in bringing effective updates, while Red Bull continue to refine a package that remains one of the benchmarks of the grid. With each passing race, Ferrari risk falling further behind in the constructors’ championship, which could have longer-term implications for morale and momentum.
Yet, even amid disappointment, there were hints of perspective from Hamilton and others in the Ferrari camp. Though eighth and ninth in Baku was hardly a stellar result, the fact that both cars finished in the points offered some consolation. In a season where reliability issues and inconsistent performances have plagued the team, a double-points finish, however modest, was seen by some as at least a small step in the right direction.
In the end, Hamilton’s prognosis reflects the reality facing Ferrari: they are unlikely to compete for wins this season, and podiums may remain elusive unless extraordinary circumstances arise. With their eyes firmly fixed on the future, the remainder of 2025 may be about damage limitation and learning, rather than glory. For Ferrari fans, it may require patience—and faith—that the sacrifices of this year will pay off when the new era begins.
About The Author
