Lewis Hamilton has taken a surprisingly optimistic stance on Ferrari's 2025 campaign, insisting that the team can still claim a "huge achievement" if they manage to finish the season inside the top three of the Drivers' Championship. He urged observers to focus on the positives that have emerged over the course of a challenging year, rather than dwelling on the setbacks that have dominated headlines.
The reality on the track has been stark. Since the British Grand Prix in early July, Hamilton has not stood on a podium, and his hopes of challenging for the world title have all but vanished.
A first‑race retirement in Madrid saw him fall more than 100 points behind the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, for the first time this season. That gap widened to 81 points behind his own teammate, George Russell, after Antonelli continued to rack up points. When asked about his own title chances ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton answered candidly: "He's 101 points ahead of me. In just two races he gained about 40 points on me, and we’ve been working hard to claw back a few points here and there.
There’s still a long way to go, and my focus is on holding onto second place – or at least catching Mercedes – in the Constructors' standings. That would be remarkable." Hamilton stressed that the narrative of "doom and gloom" should not eclipse the progress the team has made. "We have to remember where we were last year and where we are now.
While it sometimes feels bleak, there are genuine positives to celebrate," he said. Ferrari's 2025 season has been winless overall, and the Scuderia slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship. For Hamilton, it has been a difficult first year in the red car, marked by a lack of podium finishes – a first in his illustrious career.
Nevertheless, the team did secure a win at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, and Charles Leclerc added another victory at Silverstone two races later, providing a glimpse of the potential that still exists. "We’ve been fighting, we’ve had wins and podiums, and the team has done an incredible job bringing upgrades," Hamilton continued. "You really have to acknowledge the good things we’ve done this year. I know many people focus on the negatives, but if I can battle with George and somehow get ahead of him – which would be very difficult because Mercedes are the leaders – staying in the top three, even second, would be a huge achievement for us as a team." Currently Hamilton sits 20 points behind Russell in the drivers' standings.
While Ferrari often shows speed in practice and qualifying, race results have been hampered by strategic missteps and operational errors that the team can control. "There are positives to take from the last few races, but the execution hasn’t been the best and the results reflect that," Hamilton admitted.
"We learn from the areas where we weren’t as good, we make improvements, and I’m excited for this weekend." The broader context of the championship includes Antonelli’s dominant form – he has won the last two grands prix, bringing his career total to eight victories in just his second season, and has built a sizable lead over his rivals. Russell, who entered the year as the pre‑season favorite, has spoken openly about the difficulty of adapting his natural driving style to the all‑new 2026 cars. Yet he reported significant progress in Baku, saying, "I’ve been making very good progress and feel confident I can fight for victories again." Russell highlighted the importance of maintaining that upward trajectory through the remainder of the season and into the relatively stable regulatory environment expected for 2027.
"It’s crucial to resolve the issues we’ve identified. Since the summer break the race pace, which was a weakness, has improved dramatically and we’re now competitive every race. I feel more comfortable that I can fight for great results," he explained.
Although Russell has effectively ruled himself out of the title fight, his approach to each weekend remains unchanged. "I’ll keep fighting every race until it’s mathematically impossible," he said.
"That doesn’t change how I do my job – I want to win every race, take pole every race, and keep pushing. The points deficit is large, but performance is the priority." Looking ahead, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. Thursday’s schedule includes F2 practice, qualifying, and a team bosses' press conference, followed by the first F1 practice session on Friday.
Saturday will feature the final F2 race and the main Grand Prix, with the race itself slated for midday on Sunday. Sky Sports will broadcast the entire event live, offering flexible streaming options through the NOW platform. Hamilton’s message to fans and critics alike is clear: despite the setbacks and the narrative of gloom that has surrounded Ferrari’s season, there are tangible achievements worth celebrating.
The team’s ability to develop upgrades, secure occasional victories, and remain within striking distance of the top three in the Constructors' Championship demonstrates resilience. As the season enters its final third, Hamilton believes that a strong finish – even if it falls short of the ultimate prize – would still constitute a "huge achievement" for both himself and the Scuderia. The upcoming races will test whether those positives can be turned into consistent results, and whether the optimism expressed by Hamilton can translate into a respectable end‑of‑year standing for Ferrari.