Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton’s performance during the second practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has garnered attention, particularly due to his insights on the changes made to his braking setup. The adjustments seemed to have a significant impact, revealing Ferrari’s advancements throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Hamilton’s Insights on Practice Sessions

In the lead-up to the final series of high-fuel long runs, Hamilton found himself at the top of the leaderboard thanks to a tow from his teammate, a strategy that proved beneficial. This came after a rather challenging first practice session, where Hamilton finished in 13th place. He described that session as "a mess," attributing his struggles to a lack of confidence with the braking system, especially critical on a circuit filled with numerous 90-degree turns.

The second practice session, however, was a different story. Hamilton expressed satisfaction with the braking performance, noting it was "perfect." Despite this positive shift, he remained cautious, emphasizing that it was merely practice and there was still room for improvement.

"I would say P1 was a bit of a mess; this is a circuit where you have to have mega confidence on the brakes, and I had some problems with the brakes," Hamilton reflected after the second practice session. "Every track I’m going to is the first time driving the Ferrari at that circuit, so acclimatizing to that is not easy. We made some changes going into P2, and the brakes finally were working perfectly."

This newfound confidence allowed Hamilton to exploit the braking system effectively, leading to significant gains on the track. He expressed gratitude towards his team, recognizing their hard work and patience, which is now beginning to bear fruit.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc: A Strong Performance and Future Hopes

On the other side of the Ferrari garage, Charles Leclerc shared his perspective on the team’s performance during practice. While he acknowledged the strengths of the Ferrari setup, he felt that he could have pushed himself further. His optimism about the team’s capabilities was evident, although he highlighted the impressive performance of McLaren, suggesting they were on a different level.

Leclerc, who has secured the last four pole positions in Baku, expressed some reservations about his chances of victory in the upcoming race. "It was OK. I think there’s a lot more potential, especially coming from me. I did a great job today, but overall we seem to be pretty strong," he stated.

However, he added a note of caution regarding McLaren’s speed. "But, and there’s a big but, it looks like McLaren is in another world, literally. And I think people will be very surprised tomorrow because Lando didn’t finish some laps that were very, very impressive."

Although Leclerc believes Ferrari is in a competitive position compared to other teams, he was realistic about their chances of securing a victory. "I doubt we’ll be in the fight with them. But compared to the others, it seems that we are kind of in a good place. I don’t think there’s a battle for the win for now. But never say never," he remarked, recalling past experiences where unexpected outcomes were possible.

Team Principal Frederic Vasseur’s Perspective

Frederic Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, shared his thoughts on the team’s performance in Baku, expressing satisfaction with their early pace. He acknowledged the impressive speed displayed by McLaren but emphasized the necessity for Ferrari to focus on their own performance. Like Leclerc, Vasseur pointed out that McLaren had not yet revealed their full potential, indicating that the competition would be fierce.

"Dreaming is never a good thing. We need to focus on what we’re doing. The margins are very tight," Vasseur stated during a media interaction. "McLaren didn’t manage to complete a fast lap, but they were fast too. Mercedes probably didn’t use the engine to its full potential, which means that tomorrow’s situation will be the same as we saw this morning, with everyone very close together."

Vasseur also noted the importance of race simulations, mentioning that although they had only completed a few laps, the results were promising. "We have to focus on ourselves and get the most out of what we have. It was a good Friday, but we don’t know the fuel levels of the others, and we haven’t seen their real potential."

The Competitive Landscape in Baku

As the teams prepared for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the competitive landscape appeared to be quite tight. With teams like McLaren showing formidable pace, especially in the practice sessions, the upcoming race promised to be an exciting spectacle. The performance of Ferrari, highlighted by Hamilton’s adjustments and Leclerc’s optimism, indicates a promising direction for the team. However, they will need to remain vigilant and adaptable to the challenges posed by their competitors.

The unique characteristics of the Baku circuit, known for its high-speed straights and challenging corners, require drivers to have immense confidence and skill. Both Hamilton and Leclerc recognized this, understanding that their performance would be crucial in navigating the complexities of the track.

Key Takeaways from Practice Sessions

In summary, the second practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix highlighted the evolving dynamics within the Ferrari team. Lewis Hamilton’s feedback on the braking system indicated significant progress, while Charles Leclerc’s insights underscored the competitive nature of the field, particularly with McLaren’s impressive showing. Frederic Vasseur’s comments reflected a pragmatic approach, focusing on their own strategies while acknowledging the challenges presented by other teams.

As the teams gear up for the race, the anticipation among fans and followers of Formula 1 continues to build. The combination of strategic adjustments, driver confidence, and the unpredictable nature of racing will undoubtedly contribute to an exhilarating event in Baku.