Hamilton Sets Sights on Russell Amid Defense of Ferrari's Season

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari's season can still rank as a "huge achievement" if he finishes in the top three of the Drivers' Championship, urging critics to "look at the positives" despite a recent dip in form. Heading into the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the seven-time champion trails Kimi Antonelli by 101 points and sits 20 behind George Russell.

Why it matters:

After a winless 2025 and a difficult first year at Ferrari, Hamilton has returned to winning ways. But the title challenge has faded, and Ferrari's immediate goal is now to secure second in the constructors' championship behind Mercedes while Hamilton chases Russell in the drivers' standings.

The Details:

• No podiums since the British GP in early July; first retirement of the season in Madrid left him more than 100 points behind Antonelli.
• Antonelli leads Russell by 81 points; Hamilton is 20 behind Russell.
• Ferrari finished fourth in the constructors' standings in 2025, with Hamilton going podium-less in his first season. This year, he won the Spanish GP in June, and Leclerc triumphed at Silverstone.
• "Just in two races he gained something like 40-odd points on me, and we've been working so hard to gain just a couple of points here and there," Hamilton said.

Between the lines:

Hamilton's comments suggest his focus has shifted from the title fight to the battle with Russell, a familiar rival from their Mercedes days. Ferrari has often looked competitive early in race weekends, but recent results have been compromised by execution issues. Hamilton believes the team has made improvements and can keep learning.

What's next:

The Azerbaijan GP is the season's 15th round of 23 and starts a triple-header, with the race taking place on Saturday in Baku. Hamilton said he is "excited for this weekend" and believes Ferrari can make further improvements. After Baku, eight rounds remain.