Lewis Hamilton has publicly defended Ferrari’s 2025 campaign, insisting that the team’s efforts could still be regarded as a "huge achievement" if they manage to finish the season inside the top three of the Drivers' Championship. He urged fans and pundits alike to focus on the positives that have emerged over the course of a challenging year, rather than dwelling solely on the setbacks that have dominated headlines. The former seven‑time world champion and his Ferrari outfit have seen their title hopes evaporate in recent weeks. Hamilton has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July, and a race‑ending retirement in Madrid saw him fall more than 100 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli for the first time this season.
Antonelli now sits 81 points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell at the summit of the standings. When asked about his own championship aspirations ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar – Hamilton responded with a mixture of realism and optimism.
"He’s 101 points ahead of me," Hamilton said, referring to Antonelli. "In just two races he gained about 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. My focus is on holding on to second place – or even catching Mercedes in the Constructors' fight – which would be remarkable." Hamilton emphasized the need to reflect on the progress made since last season. "When you compare where we were last year with where we are now, it can sometimes feel like doom and gloom, but you have to look at the positives," he explained.
Ferrari endured a winless 2025 campaign 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 career. Nevertheless, the team did achieve notable milestones.
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 said. "You really 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 as Mercedes are the leaders – staying in the top three, even second, would be a huge achievement for us as a team." Currently, Hamilton trails Russell by 20 points in the drivers' standings. While Ferrari has shown flashes of speed during qualifying and early race phases, operational and strategic missteps have often undermined their results. "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’ll learn from the areas where we weren’t as strong, make improvements, and I’m excited for this weekend." The broader context of the championship includes Antonelli’s dominant form – he has won the last two Grands Prix, bringing his career total to eight victories in just his second season – and Russell’s struggle to adapt his natural driving style to the all‑new 2026 cars.
Russell, who entered the season as the pre‑season favourite, has spoken openly about the challenges of finding his rhythm with the new machinery. Yet he reported progress in Baku, saying, "I’ve been making very good progress and feel confident I can fight for victories again." He highlighted the importance of maintaining that momentum through the remainder of the year and into the relatively stable regulatory environment expected for 2027.
Russell also addressed his race‑by‑race approach, noting that despite effectively ruling himself out of the title fight, his mindset remains unchanged. "I’m going to keep fighting every single race until it’s mathematically impossible," he declared. "I want to try and win every race and take pole every race. That’s my goal each weekend, and the performance gap is the biggest priority right now." Both drivers underscored a common theme: the necessity of continual development and learning.
Hamilton pointed out that Ferrari’s upgrades have been significant, and while the team has not always capitalised on them, the foundation is there for a stronger finish. Russell echoed this sentiment, stating that race pace, previously a weakness, has improved markedly since the summer break and is now competitive in every event. Looking ahead, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule is packed with supporting events, including F2 practice sessions, qualifying, and feature races, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The weekend kicks off with F2 practice on Thursday morning, followed by a full day of qualifying and press conferences, leading into a triple‑header of races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans can stream the action via the Sky Sports app, with recommendations to use the Chrome browser for the best viewing experience. In summary, Hamilton’s defence of Ferrari is rooted in a pragmatic view of the season’s achievements amid adversity.
By highlighting the team’s wins, the progress of their car development, and the potential to finish the year in a top‑three position, he aims to shift the narrative from one of despair to one of cautious optimism. While the championship battle remains dominated by Antonelli and Mercedes, the fight for the remaining podium spots continues to provide drama and intrigue for the remaining eight races of the season.