Hamilton Signals Progress with Impressive Practice in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Friday Practice Report
Lewis Hamilton showcased a promising performance during Friday’s practice for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a significant advancement in his transition to Ferrari. The seven-time world champion topped the timesheets in FP2, outpacing teammate Charles Leclerc by 0.074 seconds, despite earlier challenges with the team’s Brembo brakes.
“We made some changes going into FP2, and the brakes finally were working perfectly,” Hamilton stated. “I’m really happy to see the progress. It just goes to show the direction we’ve been going as a team.”
Hamilton’s achievement comes at a time when consistency has been an obstacle this season, particularly on a circuit where Leclerc has excelled, securing four consecutive poles in Baku. While Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his pace, he cautioned against overinterpretation of practice results.
“It’s just a practice day,” he remarked. “Let’s not go too far.”
Ferrari dominated the practice sessions, with Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, finishing third, 0.477 seconds behind. Leclerc, who acknowledged underperforming, remains optimistic about his potential. “I think there’s a lot more potential, especially coming from me…but McLaren seems to be in another world,” he noted, hinting at a strong performance from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who are yet to show their full capabilities.
Leclerc reflected on his hopes for qualification, stating, “I don’t think there’s a battle for the win for now, but never say never,” alluding to previous surprises at the Baku circuit.
As the teams prepare for qualifying, Hamilton’s foray into improved performance may provide crucial momentum for Ferrari as the season progresses.
