Lewis Hamilton insists that Ferrari's 2025 campaign can still be regarded as a "huge achievement" if the Scuderia manages to finish the season inside the top three of the Drivers' Championship. He urged detractors to focus on the positives that have emerged from a year that has been marked by setbacks and missed opportunities. The prospect of a title showdown between Hamilton and Ferrari has all but vanished after a string of recent races. The seven‑time world champion has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July, and his chances of clinching the championship have dwindled dramatically.
The situation worsened at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, where Hamilton suffered his first retirement of the season. That failure left him more than 100 points behind the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, for the first time this year.
Antonelli now enjoys an 81‑point cushion over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, making the title picture look increasingly bleak for the British driver. When asked about his own title hopes 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 around 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 even catching Mercedes – in the Constructors' standings. That would be remarkable." He continued, "We have to compare where we were last year with where we are now. It may feel like doom and gloom, but you have to look at the positives." Ferrari endured a winless 2025 season and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, while Hamilton endured a difficult first year in the red car, failing to secure a podium for the first time in his illustrious career.
The team did manage a breakthrough win at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, followed by Charles Leclerc’s triumph at Silverstone two races later, offering a glimpse of the potential that still resides within the outfit. "We’ve been fighting, we’ve had wins and podiums, and the team has done an incredible job bringing upgrades," Hamilton said.
"You really have to acknowledge the good things we’ve done this year. I know a lot of people focus on the negatives, but 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, even second, would be a huge achievement for us as a team." At present, Hamilton sits 20 points behind his former teammate George Russell in the drivers' standings.
While Ferrari has shown flashes of speed during practice and qualifying sessions, their race results have often been compromised by strategic blunders and operational mishaps that are within the team’s 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, and I believe we can improve – and we are. I’m excited for this weekend." The Spanish Grand Prix also saw Russell fall further behind Antonelli, who has now secured back‑to‑back victories and amassed eight wins in his astonishing second season in Formula 1.
Russell, who entered the year as the pre‑season favourite, has spoken openly about the difficulty of adapting his natural driving style to the all‑new 2026 cars. Yet he remains optimistic, stating in Baku that he has made "very good progress" and feels confident about fighting for victories again. He emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum throughout the remainder of the season, especially as the sport heads into a relatively stable regulatory environment for 2027.
"It’s crucial to resolve the issues we’ve identified. Since the summer break, I’ve been pleased with the progress – the race pace, which was a weakness, is now much stronger and we’re competitive every race. I feel more comfortable fighting for great results." Although Russell has effectively ruled himself out of the championship hunt, his approach to each race weekend remains unchanged. "I’ll keep fighting every single 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 – that’s my goal. The performance gap is huge, but it’s not the only consideration now; improving the car is the priority." The weekend schedule in Baku is packed: Friday will feature F2 sprint and practice sessions, followed by the F1 qualifying session on Saturday, and the Grand Prix itself later that day. Sky Sports will broadcast the action live, with streaming options available via the NOW platform for viewers who prefer a contract‑free experience.
In summary, Hamilton’s message to fans and critics alike is clear: despite a season that has felt like a series of setbacks, there are still tangible achievements to celebrate. A top‑three finish in the Drivers' Championship, a strong showing in the Constructors' table, and the occasional race win demonstrate that Ferrari remains a competitive force. The coming races in Azerbaijan will test the team’s ability to convert those positives into consistent results, and Hamilton appears ready to seize any opportunity that arises.