F1 | Charles Leclerc calls for clarity after Lewis Hamilton fails to follow team orders in Baku. Charles Leclerc asked for clarity after the Azerbaijan GP in Baku.

Charles Leclerc questions Lewis Hamilton’s respect for Ferrari rules in Baku

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix turned into a weekend to forget for Scuderia Ferrari. Not only did the team struggle far from the leading positions, but an additional controversy emerged between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque allowed his teammate to pass in order to attack the cars ahead, but when the attempt failed, the seven-time world champion did not give the position back in time. Hamilton crossed the line just a few tenths ahead of Leclerc, sparking calls for clarity within the team.

A matter of respect and team unity

Hamilton’s error, which he later admitted and apologized for, will not have lasting consequences for the team. After all, little difference exists between eighth and ninth place when both drivers are battling in the midfield. More importantly, the situation was complicated by the presence of Isack Hadjar, who finished only two seconds behind Leclerc, making any positional change a riskier move.

The British driver tried to lift off and slow down before the finish, but it was not enough. Hamilton still crossed the line four tenths ahead of the Ferrari number 16. Leclerc, however, downplayed the episode, noting that Ferrari currently has bigger problems to address—starting with the competitiveness of the SF-25, which despite improvements highlighted by team principal Frédéric Vasseur, still appears far from podium contention. Nevertheless, the Monegasque emphasized that in the future, internal rules should be properly respected.

Charles Leclerc’s reaction after the race

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Charles Leclerc explained that fighting for eighth and ninth position did not carry much weight, so he was not overly concerned about the outcome. He acknowledged that Ferrari has agreements and internal rules in place for such situations, and while they were not followed this time, it did not change his overall view of the race. According to him, finishing eighth instead of ninth would not have made him significantly happier.

Charles Leclerc went on to clarify that the issue is less about Baku itself and more about the future. He noted that the rules are well known within the team, and when Ferrari eventually returns to fighting for higher positions, he hopes such agreements will be fully respected. His comments underline the importance of team discipline for when the stakes become much higher.