F1 Azerbaijan GP: Lewis Hamilton fails to follow Ferrari’s instructions in final lap at Baku circuit. Lewis Hamilton failed to fully follow Ferrari’s team order at the Azerbaijan GP.

Lewis Hamilton ignores Ferrari, the costly mistake in Azerbaijan

At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton did not follow Ferrari’s team order, creating late-race controversy for the Scuderia. On the final lap of the race, Ferrari attempted to execute a position swap between its two drivers. Hamilton’s race engineer, Ricardo Adami, instructed him to let Charles Leclerc pass on the main straight if he was unable to overtake any of the cars ahead. Hamilton did ease off slightly before the finish line, but not enough, and crossed the line just 0.464 seconds ahead of his teammate.

Ferrari team radio communications

The initial instruction from Ferrari came a few laps earlier, when Leclerc was told by his engineer Bryan Bozzi:

“So, Charles, we want to swap positions at Turn 1 and let Lewis try with the mediums.”

Leclerc complied, slowing down at Turn 1 to allow Hamilton through. However, despite being on fresher medium tyres, Hamilton was unable to keep up with Lando Norris ahead. In the closing lap, Bozzi came back on the radio to inform Leclerc:

“We will swap back at the end of the lap on the main straight if Lewis cannot overtake.”

Did Hamilton ignore the order, or was it a mistake?

Lewis Hamilton’s decision not to fully respect the final instruction has already sparked debate. Many believe it was a deliberate choice by the seven-time world champion, while others suggest it may simply have been a misjudgment. Lewis Hamilton did slow on the main straight, but failed to let Charles Leclerc through before the chequered flag.