The Azerbaijan GP 2025 brought another difficult weekend for Lewis Hamilton, who finished eighth after starting twelfth on the grid. Ferrari showed flashes of pace with a Ferrari 1-2 practice session vs race result, but the race told a different story. Speaking after the Grand Prix, Hamilton after Azerbaijan GP finish admitted Ferrari is still “progressing yet no results,” and even called a victory “far-fetched” at this stage.
This article breaks down Hamilton’s reflections, Ferrari struggles, brakes confidence, teammate comparisons with his Charles Leclerc Ferrari teammate, and what the 2025 season may hold.
Hamilton’s Azerbaijan GP 2025: Race Recap
Hamilton’s Baku City Circuit weekend was defined by recovery rather than celebration. After a Baku GP qualifying problems in Q2 left him P12 on the grid, the seven-time champion climbed to eighth at the chequered flag.
“It wasn’t the result we wanted,” Hamilton said post-race. “But we kept it clean and brought the car home.”
Leclerc had a tougher outing, crashing in qualifying and finishing outside the points. The contrast underlined Ferrari race pace problems, showing how the team struggles to turn flashes of speed into consistent results.
Ferrari’s Practice Pace vs Race Struggles
Ferrari topped FP2 with Hamilton leading a practice session with strong performance, raising hopes of a breakthrough. But by Sunday, pace vanished.
Key reasons for the drop-off:
- Ferrari setup struggles between light-fuel practice runs and heavy-fuel race trim
- Shorter stints exaggerating Ferrari’s pace
- Instability under braking and tyre management
As Hamilton explained, the SF-25 “felt quick on Friday but completely different when it really mattered.”
Hamilton’s Own Words: Progress Without Results
Hamilton admitted Ferrari has taken small steps forward, but podiums still feel out of reach.
- On progress: “We are improving, but the results don’t show it yet.”
- On winning: “Right now, a win feels far-fetched.”
- On car feel: “I still don’t have the Hamilton brake confidence I need to attack.”
His tone balanced frustration with determination, showing both the challenge and his commitment to Ferrari’s long-term project.
This section is a direct Lewis Hamilton Ferrari progress update, offering insight into his mindset.
Ferrari’s Technical Struggles
The SF-25’s braking remains Hamilton’s biggest concern:
- Lack of stability into heavy braking zones
- Rear-end unpredictability on high-speed entries
- Inconsistent balance across race stints
Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted the car “isn’t delivering the consistency our drivers need.” Until Ferrari finds stability, Ferrari struggles, brakes confidence will continue to limit podium hopes.
Hamilton’s Transition to Ferrari
Leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 gave Hamilton one of the toughest transitions of his career. Beyond the car’s learning curve, he faces the weight of the Maranello outfit and its expectations.
This Mercedes to Ferrari switch has been one of the sport’s most talked-about moves. Off track, Hamilton has embraced Italian culture, fashion, and Ferrari’s heritage. But on track, Hamilton adapting to the Ferrari car remains the toughest part of his journey.
Hamilton vs Leclerc: Teammate Battle
Baku highlighted the contrasting fortunes of Ferrari’s pair:
Aspect | Lewis Hamilton | Charles Leclerc |
Qualifying | P12 (Baku GP qualifying problems) | Crash, early exit |
Race Finish | P8, steady climb | Outside points, tyre struggles |
Team Orders | Apologized after confusion | Brief resistance before yielding |
Overall | More consistent, adapting | Faster raw pace, error-prone |
The tension during Ferrari’s team order swap showed how fine margins can escalate when results are under pressure — a common theme in hamilton news f1 and f1 hamilton news headlines.
Hamilton’s Azerbaijan Record vs Ferrari Reality
Hamilton has fond memories of the Baku City Circuit, including victory in 2018 and multiple podiums. That history makes 2025’s struggles sting more.
Fans expected Hamilton’s experience to lift Ferrari closer to the front, but so far, the SF-25 hasn’t matched his proven ability around the streets of Azerbaijan. His past form compared with today’s Ferrari race pace problems highlights the scale of the challenge.
Ferrari’s 2025 Upgrade Roadmap
Ferrari has scheduled a series of updates focused on:
- Braking stability
- Rear-end balance
- Consistency across stints
But the Scuderia faces a Ferrari vs Red Bull comparison in development speed, with McLaren also pushing rapid upgrades. Whether Ferrari’s plan can deliver in time may decide Hamilton’s chances of reaching the podium this year.
Some analysts also referenced the sprint race China reference, noting that Ferrari’s inconsistency echoes earlier struggles.
Fan & Expert Reactions
- Pundits: Sky Sports analysts said Hamilton is “extracting everything from the SF-25,” but warned Ferrari must deliver upgrades quickly.
- Fans: Social media remains divided. Some praise Hamilton’s patience and leadership; others criticize Ferrari for “wasting his final years.”
The mix reflects Hamilton’s global profile — every performance fuels debate in f1 news Hamilton, f1 lewis hamilton news, and news of lewis hamilton updates.
What’s Next in 2025?
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s best chances of a first Ferrari podium may come at driver-sensitive circuits like Barcelona or Silverstone.
Ferrari remains in the fight for constructors’ points, but must find consistency to stay close in the Ferrari vs Red Bull comparison. For Hamilton, experience and resilience will be crucial in turning steady top-10 finishes into podiums.
This will keep f1 news: lewis hamilton, f1 news Hamilton, and hamilton f1 news buzzing throughout 2025.
FAQs
Why is Hamilton struggling with braking at Ferrari?
Ferrari’s SF-25 suffers from rear-end instability in 2025, making late braking difficult and unpredictable, adding to his Ferrari setup struggles.
What did Lewis Hamilton say after the Azerbaijan GP 2025?
Hamilton after the Azerbaijan GP finish said Ferrari is “progressing yet no results” and admitted a win still feels “far-fetched.”
How is Hamilton adapting to Ferrari’s SF-25 car?
In 2025, Hamilton adapted to Ferrari cars gradually, managing technical challenges while adjusting to the pressure of the Maranello outfit.
What’s the timeline for Ferrari’s car upgrades?
Ferrari has planned key SF-25 updates across 2025, with braking and stability fixes expected mid-season.
Has Hamilton spoken about his rivalry with Charles Leclerc?
Yes. After the Baku team orders clash, Hamilton emphasized respect for his Charles Leclerc Ferrari teammate but admitted “tension is natural when results aren’t there.
