Lewis Hamilton says his topping of Friday observe on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is an indication his Ferrari transition is transferring in the fitting course. Though cautioning in opposition to studying an excessive amount of into his front-running tempo, the seven-time world champion was notably happy with the progress he stated he made by the day with Ferrari’s Brembo brakes, which have been a chief bugbear for him this season after years utilizing Carbon Industrie at Mercedes.
Hamilton has been battling for consistency in his first season with Ferrari, and Azerbaijan – a stronghold of teammate Charles Leclerc, who has received 4 straight pole positions on the Baku road circuit – was tipped as a difficult spherical for his momentum. However it was Hamilton, not Leclerc, who ended the day quickest, beating the Monegasque to the highest spot in FP2 by 0.074s.
“It actually has [been a positive day], thank the lord,” he stated. “I’d say P1 was a little bit of a large number – this can be a circuit the place it’s important to have mega confidence on the brakes, and I had some issues with the brakes. Then we made some modifications going into P2, and the brakes lastly have been working completely – I used to be in a position to make some fast, massive benefit when it comes to gaining on the brakes.
“I’m actually completely happy to see the progress. It simply goes to point out the course we’ve been going as a group. I’m actually, actually grateful for everybody’s persistence and everybody pushing so exhausting, as a result of we’re actually beginning to see the progress come by.
“The help I’ve been returning from everybody on the manufacturing unit, everybody right here – their persistence and their help each weekend simply lifting me up. After which the tifosi – we’ve been beaming from the power from the tifosi within the final race. I’m hoping to take that power that they gave us all over the remainder of the season.”
It was a turnaround too on Hamilton’s downbeat look throughout his Thursday media duties, although the Briton cautioned in opposition to studying an excessive amount of into his Friday bounce.
“It’s only a observe day,” he stated. “I’d say let’s not go too far.”

Leclerc’s been the grasp of Baku qualifying, however is aware of it is going to take some particular magic to increase his pole streak. Simon Galloway/Getty Photos
Ferrari had the run of Baku by the tip of Friday, with Hamilton main the next-best George Russell in third by 0.477s, albeit with neither McLaren driver finishing a clear flying lap. Leclerc was optimistic that there was much more tempo within the Ferrari however warned there was but extra nonetheless to return from the no-show Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“I feel there’s much more potential, particularly coming from me – I didn’t do an excellent job as we speak – however total we appear to be fairly robust, so it’s good,” he stated.
“However – and there’s a giant however – it appears like McLaren is in one other world actually, and I feel individuals might be very shocked tomorrow, as a result of Lando didn’t end some laps that have been very, very spectacular.
“I doubt we’ll be within the struggle with them, however in comparison with the others, it appears we’re form of in place.”
Even so, Leclerc – having taken the final 4 pole positions at this monitor in addition to a Dash pole in 2023 – isn’t keen to surrender fully on his probabilities of a fifth successive P1 begin in Baku.
“I don’t suppose there’s a battle for the win for now, however by no means say by no means,” he added. “I feel in 2021 and in lots of qualifyings right here I felt prefer it wasn’t attainable and on the finish we form of made it, so I’ll maintain my hopes excessive. However it appears unlikely.”