Title: Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Dilemma: Will Azerbaijan GP Break the Podium Drought?
As the countdown to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix intensifies, all eyes are on Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion whose pursuit of a podium finish with Ferrari has become a gripping saga. With just eight races left in the 2025 season, Hamilton faces the daunting challenge of preserving his remarkable streak of podium finishes, which has stood unbroken across his illustrious 18-year career. Yet, here we are, with Hamilton still searching for that elusive top-three finish in his first season donning the iconic red colors.
Despite the fierce competition and the weight of expectations, Hamilton’s spirits were buoyed by recent performances at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he reported making “solid progress” with Ferrari’s SF-25 car. However, his eighth top-six finish of the season only serves as a reminder of the hurdles he must overcome. After qualifying fifth but ultimately starting from 10th due to a five-place grid penalty, Hamilton managed to claw his way to a sixth-place finish. A commendable effort, yes, but it leaves fans hungry for more.
Hamilton’s cautious outlook is evident in his comments post-Monza. “I definitely felt on top of the car,” he admitted, yet he could not hide his skepticism about competing with the likes of Red Bull and McLaren. “We don’t have the pace of Red Bull – they were rapid – and we don’t have the pace of McLaren. Currently, I think we are fourth, fifth,” he lamented. The reality is stark: his chances for podium finishes hinge on “doing an exceptional job,” but the path ahead is fraught with challenges.
With Ferrari still reeling from a winless streak that extends nearly a year, the pressure mounts not just on Hamilton but on the entire Scuderia team. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, has managed five podiums this season, yet the team has not experienced the sweet taste of victory since last October’s Mexico City Grand Prix. The looming question remains: where can Ferrari realistically compete for a win? Leclerc identified potential hotspots, suggesting, “Singapore, maybe Baku and Las Vegas are tracks where we might be a bit closer to winning a race.” However, he tempered expectations, labeling Ferrari as the “third favorites.”
Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, remains optimistic about Hamilton’s ability to break his podium drought. Highlighting Hamilton’s competitive spirit, Vasseur noted, “He was able to fight with Russell… to come back from P10 to the gearbox of Russell at Monza. Yes, we can expect to be on the podium.” Vasseur underscored the importance of the upcoming Azerbaijan GP as a historically favorable circuit for Ferrari, aiming not only for podiums but also to reclaim a sense of dominance in the Constructors’ Championship.
As Ferrari heads to Baku, they hold a slender 20-point lead over third-placed Mercedes and a 41-point advantage over fourth-placed Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, McLaren is poised to clinch the title if fortune smiles upon them this weekend. The stakes have never been higher.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling spectacle, with Hamilton and Ferrari desperately seeking redemption and a long-awaited return to the podium. Will this race mark the turning point in Hamilton’s Ferrari saga, or will it be another chapter of frustration? Fans around the globe are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the high-octane drama that only Formula 1 can deliver.
