Lewis Hamilton maintains that Ferrari’s 2025 campaign can still be regarded as a "huge achievement" if the Scuderia manages to finish within the top three of the Drivers' Championship. He urged detractors to focus on the season's positives despite the recent setbacks that have plagued the team.
The prospect of a world title for Hamilton and Ferrari has all but vanished after a string of disappointing results. The seven‑time champion has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July, and a race‑ending retirement in Madrid further widened the gap to the championship leader, Kimi Antonelli. That retirement left Hamilton more than 100 points adrift of Antonelli, effectively ending any realistic title hopes. Antonelli now leads the standings by 81 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
When asked about his own championship chances ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton replied with a measured perspective: "He's 101 points ahead of me. In just two races he gained around 40 points, and 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 even catching Mercedes – in the Constructors' Championship. That would be remarkable." Hamilton stressed the importance of perspective, noting that while the narrative often leans toward "doom and gloom," a balanced view reveals many encouraging signs.
"We have to compare where we were last year with where we are now. Even if it feels bleak at times, there are positives that deserve attention," he said. Ferrari endured a winless 2025 season and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' standings, while Hamilton endured his first year in red without a podium until his breakthrough victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Charles Leclerc followed that success with a win at Silverstone two races later, demonstrating that the team still possesses race‑winning pace.
"We've been fighting, we've secured wins and podiums, and the team has delivered remarkable upgrades throughout the year. It's essential to acknowledge those achievements," Hamilton continued. "Many people focus on the negatives, but if I can battle with George and perhaps finish ahead of him – which would be extremely tough given Mercedes' dominance – staying in the top three, even second, would be a massive accomplishment for us." Currently, Hamilton sits 20 points behind Russell in the Drivers' table. He pointed out that Ferrari often shows strong performance in qualifying and early race phases, but strategic missteps and operational errors have frequently undermined the results.
"There are positives in the recent races, but execution hasn't been the best, and the outcomes reflect that," he explained. "We learn from the areas where we fell short, and I believe we can improve – and we already have. I'm excited for the weekend ahead." The Spanish Grand Prix also highlighted Russell's growing gap to Antonelli, who has claimed victory in the last two Grands Prix, bringing his career tally to eight wins in an extraordinary second season. Russell, who entered the year as the preseason favorite, has openly discussed the challenges of adapting his natural driving style to the brand‑new 2026 cars.
Nevertheless, he expressed optimism after Baku, stating, "I've made very good progress and feel confident I can fight for wins again." He emphasized the need to sustain this momentum throughout the remainder of the season and into the relatively stable regulatory environment expected for 2027. "Resolving lingering issues is crucial.
Since the summer break, I've seen significant progress in race pace, which was a weakness before. The car is now competitive in every race, and I feel comfortable fighting for strong results. The next year will be similar – chassis and power units won't change dramatically, perhaps only tyre specifications.
It's vital to keep building on this foundation," Russell added. Although Russell has effectively ruled himself out of the championship hunt, his approach to each weekend remains unchanged. "I will keep fighting until it's mathematically impossible," he affirmed. "My goal is to win every race, secure pole position each weekend, and focus on performance above all else.
The points deficit is a reality, but it doesn't alter my day‑to‑day mindset." The upcoming Azerbaijan weekend is packed with activities: F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and the main Formula 1 events, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can stream the action flexibly via the Sky Sports app, with Chrome recommended for the best viewing experience. In summary, Hamilton's message is one of cautious optimism.
While the title race may be out of reach, both he and Ferrari can still claim a successful season by securing a top‑three finish in the Drivers' standings and challenging Mercedes in the Constructors' battle. By concentrating on the progress made, learning from past mistakes, and capitalising on the team's technical upgrades, there is still plenty to celebrate before the season concludes.