Lewis Hamilton insists that Ferrari’s 2025 campaign can still be deemed a "huge achievement" if the Scuderia manages to finish within the top three of the Drivers' Championship, urging detractors to focus on the positive aspects of the season despite a series of recent setbacks. Hamilton, who has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July, acknowledges that the dream of clinching the world title has faded for both him and Ferrari after a string of lackluster results. The turning point came at the Madrid race, where Hamilton suffered his first retirement of the year.
That single DNF dropped him more than 100 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, effectively handing the title to the Italian driver. Antonelli now enjoys an 81‑point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, further widening the gap between the leading teams. When asked about his own title hopes ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton responded with a mixture of realism and optimism. "He's 101 points ahead of me," he said, noting that Antonelli had amassed roughly 40 points in just two races.
"We've been working hard to claw back a few points here and there, but there’s still a long way to go. My focus is on holding onto second place, or at the very least keeping Mercedes within striking distance in the Constructors' standings. That would be remarkable." Hamilton also urged a broader perspective, reminding fans and pundits that the narrative of "doom and gloom" overlooks the progress made.
"When you compare where we were last year to where we are now, you can see real improvement. It may feel bleak at times, but you have to look at the positives," he added. Ferrari’s 2025 season has been winless overall, leaving the team fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Hamilton’s own stint in the red has been unusually barren, with no podium finishes until his surprise victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
Two races later, Charles Leclerc secured a win at Silverstone, giving the team a much‑needed morale boost. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Hamilton praised the effort put in by the engineers and mechanics. "We’ve fought, we’ve secured wins and podiums, and the team has delivered impressive upgrades throughout the year. It’s important to recognise those achievements.
Many people concentrate on the negatives, but if I can out‑qualify George Russell or finish ahead of him – which is a tall order given Mercedes’ dominance – that would be a massive success for us. Even ending the year in the top three, or second, would be a huge accomplishment for Ferrari." Currently, Hamilton trails Russell by 20 points in the Drivers' standings. While Ferrari has shown flashes of speed during practice and qualifying sessions, strategic missteps and operational errors have often undermined their race‑day results. "There are positives to take from the recent races, but the execution hasn’t been the best and the outcomes reflect that," Hamilton explained.
"We learn from the areas where we fell short, and I believe we are making the necessary improvements. I’m excited for the upcoming weekend." The Spanish Grand Prix also highlighted Antonelli’s rising dominance; he has now won two consecutive races, bringing his career total to eight victories in just his second full season. Russell, who entered the year as the pre‑season favourite, has been vocal about the challenges of adapting his driving style to the brand‑new 2026 cars.
Yet he remains optimistic, stating in Baku that he has made "very good progress" and feels confident in fighting for victories again. Russell emphasised the importance of maintaining this momentum throughout the remainder of the season and into the relatively stable regulatory environment expected for 2027.
"Resolving the issues we identified last summer has been a priority, and I’m pleased with the progress," he said. "Our race pace, once a weakness, has improved dramatically and we’ve been competitive every race since the break. I feel more comfortable now that I can contest for strong results." Although Russell has effectively conceded the championship battle, his approach to each race weekend remains unchanged.
"I will keep fighting until it is mathematically impossible to score points," he declared. "My goal is to win every race, secure pole position, and focus on performance above all else. The points deficit is a reality, but it does not dictate how I perform on track." The upcoming Azerbaijan weekend features a packed schedule, with F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and feature races interwoven with the F1 program. The Grand Prix itself will take place on Saturday at midday, followed by post‑race analysis and commentary.
Sky Sports will broadcast the entire event live, offering flexible streaming options via the NOW platform, allowing viewers to watch without a long‑term contract. In summary, Hamilton’s message is clear: despite a season that has been marred by retirements, strategic blunders, and a widening points gap, there are still reasons for optimism. By concentrating on the incremental gains, the technical upgrades, and the occasional triumphs, Ferrari can still finish the year on a high note.
Whether that means securing a podium finish in the Drivers' standings or challenging Mercedes for the Constructors' title, Hamilton believes the team’s resilience and determination could turn a seemingly bleak campaign into a respectable, even commendable, achievement.