Lewis Hamilton has argued 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 pundits and fans alike to focus on the positives that the team has produced, despite a string of recent setbacks that have clouded the outlook for both the driver and the constructor. The prospect of a world title for Hamilton and Ferrari has all but vanished after a series of disappointing races.
The seven‑time champion 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 the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli. That result marked the first time this season that Hamilton fell out of the top‑two in the standings, effectively conceding any realistic chance of taking the title. Antonelli now enjoys an 81‑point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, while Hamilton trails Russell by 20 points.
When asked about his own championship hopes ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton replied with a mix of realism and optimism. "He’s 101 points ahead of me," the Briton said, noting that Antonelli had amassed roughly 40 points in just two races.
"We’ve been working so 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 keeping Mercedes within reach for the constructors’ title. That would be remarkable." Hamilton stressed the importance of perspective, urging observers to compare the team's current position with where they were last year.
"It sometimes feels like doom and gloom, but you have to look at the positives," he said. Ferrari endured a winless 2025 season and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, while Hamilton himself endured a difficult first year in the red car, failing to secure a podium for the first time in his illustrious career. Nevertheless, there have been bright spots. Hamilton claimed his first victory of the season at the Spanish Grand Prix in June, and teammate Charles Leclerc followed with 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 observed. "You have to acknowledge the good things we’ve done this year. 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." Hamilton’s comments highlight a broader narrative about Ferrari’s performance.
The Scuderia often looks competitive in qualifying and the early phases of race weekends, yet strategic missteps and operational errors have repeatedly undermined their results. "There are positives to take from the last few races, but they haven’t been the best in terms of execution and we haven’t had the best results," Hamilton admitted.
"We learn from the areas where we weren’t as good, and I believe we can make improvements – and I think we have. I’m excited for this weekend." The article also touches on the situation at Mercedes.
Russell, who entered the season as the pre‑season favorite, has struggled to adapt his natural driving style to the brand‑new 2026 cars. Despite a season‑high deficit to Antonelli, he remains optimistic, stating in Baku that he has made "very good progress" and feels confident he can fight for victories again.
Russell emphasized the need to resolve lingering issues, noting that race pace – once a weakness – has improved markedly since the summer break. He added that the upcoming 2027 regulations will be relatively stable, with only minor changes to chassis, power units, and possibly tyres, meaning the development trajectory will continue along a familiar path.
Although Russell has effectively ruled himself out of the title hunt, his approach to each weekend remains unchanged. "I’m going to keep fighting every single race until it’s mathematically impossible," he said. "It doesn’t change how I go about my job.
I want to try and win every race and put it on pole every race. That’s my goal.
The performance gap is huge, but it’s not the main consideration right now – the priority is to keep improving." The broader context of the weekend includes a packed schedule of Formula 2 and Formula 1 sessions, with practice, qualifying, and race times listed for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Sky Sports will broadcast the events live, and viewers are encouraged to stream via the NOW platform for flexible access.
In summary, Hamilton’s defence of Ferrari is rooted in a pragmatic view of the season’s achievements. While the title is out of reach, securing a top‑three finish in the Drivers' Championship and maintaining a strong position in the Constructors' standings would represent a significant turnaround from the early‑season struggles. By focusing on incremental improvements, learning from strategic errors, and capitalising on the upgrades already delivered, Hamilton believes the team can finish the year on a high note, turning what many have called a "doom‑and‑gloom" narrative into a story of resilience and progress.