Lewis Hamilton has argued that Ferrari’s 2025 campaign can still be counted as a "huge achievement" if the team manages to finish the season within the top three of the Drivers' Championship. He urged observers to focus on the positives of the year, despite the recent setbacks that have clouded the team’s prospects. The dream of clinching the world title has all but disappeared for both Hamilton and Ferrari 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 left him more than 100 points adrift of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
That gap marked the first time this season Hamilton fell so far behind, effectively conceding the title race. Antonelli now leads the standings by 81 points 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 responded with a mix of realism and optimism: "He’s 101 points ahead of me. In just two races he gained about 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 continued, "We have to compare where we were last year with where we are now.
It sometimes feels like doom and gloom, but we need to look at the positives." He highlighted that Ferrari endured a winless season in 2025 and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' standings, while his own first year in the red car has been the toughest of his career, with no podium finishes until his breakthrough win at the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Two races later, Charles Leclerc secured a victory at Silverstone, providing a rare glimpse of the team’s potential. "We’ve been fighting, we’ve had wins and podiums, and the team has done an incredible job bringing upgrades," Hamilton said.
"Many people focus on the negatives, but if I can battle with George and somehow get ahead of him – which would be very difficult given Mercedes’ dominance – staying in the top three, even second, would be a huge achievement for us as a team." Hamilton praised the incremental improvements Ferrari has shown, noting that the squad often looks competitive in qualifying but has been hampered by strategic missteps and operational errors during races. "There are positives to take from the last few races, but execution hasn’t been the best and the results suffer because of that," he explained. "We learn from the areas where we weren’t as strong, and I believe we can make further improvements.
I’m excited for this weekend." The broader context of the championship features Antonelli’s dominant form – he has won the last two grands prix, bringing his career tally to eight victories in just his second season, an extraordinary achievement in modern Formula 1. Russell, the pre‑season favourite, has openly discussed the challenges of adapting his natural driving style to the all‑new 2026 cars. However, he reported progress during the Baku weekend, stating, "I’ve been making very good progress and feel confident I can fight for victories again." Russell emphasized the importance of maintaining this upward trajectory throughout the remainder of the season and into the relatively stable regulatory environment expected for 2027. "It’s crucial to resolve the issues we identified, and I’m pleased with the progress since the summer break," he said.
"Race pace, which was a weakness, has improved dramatically and we’ve been in the mix at every race since the break. I now feel more comfortable fighting for great results." Although Russell has effectively ruled himself out of the title hunt, his approach to each weekend remains unchanged.
"I’ll keep fighting every race until it’s mathematically impossible," he asserted. "That doesn’t change how I do my job. I want to win every race and take pole at every event.
That’s my goal each weekend, regardless of the points deficit. Performance is the priority." The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with supporting events, including F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and feature races, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The schedule begins on Thursday, September 24, with F2 practice at 9:00 am, followed by qualifying and a team bosses’ press conference. Friday, September 25, features an F2 sprint, additional practice, and the main F1 qualifying session at 1:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, culminates in the Grand Prix itself at midday, with post‑race analysis and commentary later in the afternoon. Hamilton’s message to fans and critics alike is clear: while the championship may be out of reach, the season should not be dismissed as a failure.
By acknowledging the strides Ferrari has made – from securing vital upgrades to achieving sporadic victories – and by maintaining a forward‑looking mindset, the team can still finish the year on a high note. The focus now shifts to extracting every ounce of performance in Baku, learning from past mistakes, and aiming to secure a top‑three finish in both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings.
This perspective, grounded in realism yet buoyed by optimism, encapsulates Hamilton’s defense of Ferrari amid the prevailing doom‑and‑gloom narrative.