Lewis Hamilton has taken a surprisingly upbeat stance on Ferrari’s 2025 campaign, insisting that the Italian squad can still claim a "huge achievement" if they manage to finish the season inside the top three of the Drivers' Championship. The seven‑time world champion urged observers to focus on the positives that have emerged over the course of a challenging year, even as recent results have painted a bleak picture. The optimism comes at a time when both Hamilton and Ferrari have seen their hopes of clinching the 2025 world title evaporate. The Briton has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July, and a first‑race retirement in Madrid saw him tumble more than 100 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli – a gap that has effectively handed the title to the young Italian.
Antonelli now enjoys an 81‑point cushion over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, while Hamilton trails Russell by 20 points. When asked about his own title chances ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton answered with a dose of realism mixed with determination. "He’s 101 points ahead of me," the veteran 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.
There’s still a long way to go. My focus is on holding onto second place – or, if possible, catching Mercedes – in the Constructors' standings.
That would be remarkable." Hamilton continued, "If you compare where we were last year with where we are now, it sometimes feels like doom and gloom, but you have to look at the positives." He highlighted Ferrari’s winless 2025 season, which left the team fourth in the Constructors' Championship, and his own struggle to adapt to the red car, marking the first time in his career he has failed to score a podium. Nevertheless, the season has produced moments of triumph. Hamilton secured his first victory of the year at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, while teammate Charles Leclerc claimed a win at Silverstone two races later.
"We’ve been fighting, we’ve had wins and podiums, and the team has done an incredible job bringing upgrades," Hamilton said. "You have to acknowledge the good things we’ve done this year." He added that many pundits fixate on the negatives, but he believes that maintaining a top‑three finish – even second place – would be a "huge achievement" for the Scuderia. "If I can battle with George and somehow get ahead of him, which would be very difficult as Mercedes are the leaders, staying in the top three would be a massive success for us as a team," he explained. Ferrari’s early‑season speed has often looked promising, yet operational missteps and strategic blunders have repeatedly undermined their results.
"There are positives to take from the last few races, but execution hasn’t been the best and the outcomes suffered," Hamilton observed. "We learn from the areas where we weren’t as good, and I believe we can improve – and we have. I’m excited for this weekend." The narrative around the championship is further complicated by Antonelli’s dominant form. The young driver has won the last two Grands Prix, bringing his career tally to eight victories in just his second season – an extraordinary achievement that has widened the gap to his rivals.
Meanwhile, Russell, who entered the year as the pre‑season favorite, has struggled to adapt his natural driving style to the brand‑new 2026 cars. Despite these challenges, Russell expressed confidence in Baku, saying, "I’ve been making very good progress and feel confident I can fight for victories again." Russell emphasized the importance of consistency for 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 – once a weakness – has improved dramatically and we’ve been competitive every race. I feel more comfortable fighting for great results now." Although he has effectively ruled himself out of the title hunt, Russell insists his approach to each weekend remains unchanged.
"I’ll keep fighting every race until it’s mathematically impossible," he said. "My goal is to win every race, take pole every race, and focus on performance above all else. The points deficit is a reality, but it doesn’t dictate how I do my job." The upcoming Azerbaijan weekend promises a packed schedule, with F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and the main Grand Prix all streamed on Sky Sports.
The triple‑header format – featuring F2, F1 practice, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – underscores the intensity of the final stretch of the season. Fans can follow the action via the Sky Sports app, with recommendations to use Chrome for the best viewing experience. In summary, Hamilton’s message is clear: despite a season marred by retirements, strategic errors, and a widening points gap, Ferrari should not be written off. By emphasizing incremental improvements, celebrating hard‑earned victories, and maintaining a focus on the long‑term goal of finishing within the top three, the team can still claim a respectable, if not spectacular, campaign.
The next few races, particularly in Baku, will be crucial in determining whether those positives can translate into a finish that satisfies both the team and its supporters.