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Driver News Combined from 3 sources

Hamilton criticises Ferrari strategy after difficult Baku qualifying

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari’s qualifying approach and tyre factors contributed to a difficult session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. After edging Charles Leclerc by 0.1s in Q1, Hamilton fell 0.257s and 0.495s behind his team-mate in the next two segments.

F1 Hub Newsroom
September 25, 2026
Hamilton criticises Ferrari strategy after difficult Baku qualifying

Hamilton was critical after a tough qualifying session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, pointing to Ferrari’s strategy and Pirelli as contributing factors. He said Ferrari’s late change in approach left him without a slipstream, adding that he had been towing Charles Leclerc instead.

His relative pace also declined through the session in Baku. Hamilton was exactly one tenth quicker than Leclerc in Q1, but then ended the next two segments 0.257s and 0.495s slower than his Ferrari team-mate.

Across the reports, Hamilton described the session as a frustrating one shaped by a combination of factors. He specifically questioned Ferrari’s execution in qualifying and indicated tyre-related issues also played a role.

Sources (3)

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