Adrenaline Affair

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September 25.2025

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How Suboptimal Setup Choices Affected Ferrari's Performance in Baku

Formula 1 car with team logos in pit lane, highlighting suboptimal setup choices.

Hamilton’s Insights on Ferrari’s Setup Dilemma at Baku

In the shadow of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Ferrari faced a challenging weekend that left both fans and critics questioning their decisions. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, highlighted some suboptimal setup choices that he believes hampered their performance at the unforgiving Baku Street Circuit. While Ferrari had a strong start, demonstrating great pace early in the weekend, the subsequent failures during qualifying and the race raised alarms about their strategic execution.

Unpacking the Setup Choices

Ferrari’s decision to switch Hamilton’s car setup to a low-downforce configuration—mirroring Charles Leclerc’s setup that struggled during practice—was notably controversial. This choice created instability in the SF25, especially as temperatures dropped from Friday’s practice sessions to Saturday’s qualifying. A more-loaded rear wing configuration, which Hamilton preferred, might have mitigated these issues, allowing for better tyre warming and overall performance.

Importance of Strategy in Qualifying

Qualifying has always been a vital part of Formula 1 racing, and Hamilton's observations emphasize this further. He remarked, "Qualifying is always key and we didn’t maximize it this weekend." Despite having the speed to challenge for pole position based on his practice times, an unexpected Q2 exit left him starting from a disappointing P12. Hamilton is adamant that improved strategy and execution during qualifying could unlock greater potential for the team, enabling them to compete at the front.

Reflections and Looking Ahead

The aftermath of the Baku race provides critical lessons for Ferrari as they shift their focus to future races, including Singapore. Hamilton noted the importance of regrouping, stating, "We’re going to be focused on how we can improve our qualifying performance." With a strong team structure in place, there is optimism that Ferrari can rebound and enhance their competitive edge. This incident serves not just as a setback, but an opportunity for growth in what is a demanding and fast-paced sport.

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Adrenaline Affair

How Suboptimal Setup Choices Affected Ferrari's Performance in Baku

Hamilton’s Insights on Ferrari’s Setup Dilemma at Baku

Unpacking the Setup Choices

Importance of Strategy in Qualifying

Reflections and Looking Ahead

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