Lewis Hamilton told Sky Sports that, despite a winless 2025 season and a fourth‑place finish in the Constructors’ Championship so far, Ferrari’s 2026 effort could be judged a "huge achievement" if the team manages to place a driver among the top three in the Drivers’ standings at the end of the year. "Look at the positives," the Briton said, adding that the team had delivered upgrades and secured occasional podiums despite operational setbacks.
Hamilton’s own title hopes have faded dramatically. He has not stood on the podium since the British Grand Prix in early July and suffered a race‑ending retirement in Madrid, which saw him fall more than 100 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The seven‑time champion now trails Antonelli by 101 points and sits 20 points behind his former teammate George Russell in the drivers’ table.
When asked about his personal objectives for the upcoming race, Hamilton said his focus is on maintaining second place in the Constructors’ Championship and, if possible, challenging Mercedes for the title. "If we can hold on to second – if not somehow catch Mercedes – for the constructors', I think that would be remarkable," he explained.
Ferrari’s season has been marked by flashes of competitiveness, including a win at the Spanish Grand Prix and Charles Leclerc’s victory at Silverstone, but the team has struggled with strategic errors and execution lapses. Hamilton praised the progress, noting that the team’s upgrades have shown “good things” and that learning from recent mistakes could still yield a respectable finish in the championship.
George Russell, who leads the Mercedes drivers’ line‑up, acknowledged his own challenges adapting to the new 2026 cars but expressed confidence that his race pace has improved since the summer break. He reiterated his commitment to fight for victories and pole positions for the remainder of the season, even though the title race appears out of reach.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the 15th round of a 23‑race calendar, will be held on Saturday, marking a rare Saturday race in the modern era. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with practice sessions, qualifying and the race itself scheduled throughout the weekend.
Hamilton concluded by urging fans and pundits to recognise the strides Ferrari has made this year, stating that finishing the season in the top three of the drivers’ championship would be “a huge achievement for us as a team.”