Lewis Hamilton Praises Ferrari After Topping Azerbaijan GP Practice

Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong performance on Friday at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in practice and leading a Ferrari one-two. After an initially challenging FP1, Hamilton highlighted the "progress" made with the team, attributing the improved pace to crucial setup changes and enhanced brake confidence. While downplaying the significance of a practice session, he expressed deep gratitude for Ferrari's patience and persistent efforts, emphasizing the positive momentum the team is building.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's consistent struggle to challenge for the title in recent years makes any sign of genuine performance improvement significant. Hamilton topping the practice charts, especially with a one-two finish for Ferrari, suggests the team might be finding the right direction after the summer break. This could inject much-needed confidence and indicate a turning point in their season, potentially shifting the competitive dynamics at the front of the grid.

The Details:

• Practice Dominance: Hamilton's 1:41.293 lap time in FP2 was enough to top the session at the Baku City Circuit, placing him 0.074s ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc. Mercedes' George Russell was nearly half a second behind in third.
• Breakthrough After Struggles: Hamilton noted that FP1 was a "bit of a mess" due to brake issues and the challenge of adapting to the Ferrari car on a new circuit. However, significant setup changes before FP2 resolved these problems, allowing him to gain substantial time, particularly under braking.
• Team Cohesion: Hamilton specifically thanked his Ferrari team for their "patience" and continuous efforts, stating that the "direction we've been going as a team" is finally yielding tangible progress. He underscored the importance of the support from the factory, the garage crew, and the marketing team, as well as the 'tifosi' (Ferrari fans).
• Cautious Optimism: Despite the impressive practice result, Hamilton remained pragmatic, reminding everyone that it was "just practice day" and urged against getting ahead of themselves. His focus is on maintaining this positive energy through the rest of the season.
• Championship Context: Hamilton currently trails teammate Charles Leclerc by 46 points in the Drivers' Championship, making consistent strong performances crucial for his standing.

What's next:

While practice results are not always indicative of race day pace, Hamilton's performance provides a strong foundation for Ferrari going into qualifying and the race weekend in Baku. The team will be looking to translate this practice advantage into a solid qualifying performance and, more importantly, a strong points finish on Sunday. The continued positive trend for Hamilton and Ferrari could signal a more competitive second half of the season, potentially setting up thrilling battles with rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull.