Jacques Villeneuve sparks debate with bold theory on pivotal Lewis Hamilton incident in Baku. Jacques Villeneuve claims Lewis Hamilton may have deliberately delayed letting Charles Leclerc through in Baku.

Villeneuve claims Hamilton deliberately delayed letting Leclerc through at Azerbaijan GP

Jacques Villeneuve has suggested that Lewis Hamilton may have intentionally slowed down too late to allow teammate Charles Leclerc past during the final stages of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The incident unfolded as Ferrari endured a frustrating weekend at the Baku City Circuit, where Hamilton was knocked out in Q2 and Leclerc crashed during Q3, leaving both drivers far from the pace.

In the race, Hamilton and Leclerc struggled to make significant progress, ultimately finishing eighth and ninth respectively, with Hamilton narrowly ahead. After pitting later than Leclerc and receiving fresher tyres, Hamilton was given the green light by Ferrari to overtake his teammate, but it was anticipated that he would return the position at the finish if he could not move further up the order.

Despite multiple attempts, Hamilton was unable to pass the cars ahead. When he tried to yield the position to Leclerc before the chequered flag, he braked too late and was unable to complete the manoeuvre cleanly. The seven-time world champion subsequently apologised to his Maranello teammate after the race. However, Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champion, believes Hamilton may have intentionally misjudged the timing, confident that he would have overtaken the Monégasque regardless of team orders.

Villeneuve’s controversial take on Hamilton’s strategy

Speaking to a gambling platform, Villeneuve explained that Hamilton managed the situation tactically. He noted that Ferrari’s instruction for Leclerc to let Hamilton through was arguably unnecessary, given that Hamilton’s pace on fresher tyres would have allowed him to pass naturally.

Villeneuve commented that Hamilton’s decision to brake late and effectively hold his position was a calculated move: the Briton understood he had the speed advantage and could overtake Leclerc without assistance, making the team order redundant. Villeneuve’s perspective highlights the subtle internal dynamics between Ferrari teammates, as well as Hamilton’s strategic mindset in races where team orders are involved.

Ferrari shifts focus to 2026 regulations

Ferrari’s disappointing performance in Baku saw the team drop to third in the 2025 constructors’ championship, overtaken by Mercedes. Villeneuve believes that such results reflect the Scuderia’s current priorities rather than the capabilities of their drivers. With the introduction of new power unit and aerodynamic regulations for the 2026 season, Ferrari appears to be concentrating on preparing for next year rather than aggressively pursuing points for the remainder of 2025.

Jacques Villeneuve emphasized that the team is likely aiming for a strong start to the 2026 season. He suggested that Ferrari may be strategically sacrificing short-term results to ensure that the first race of next year provides a competitive advantage, with an optimal engine and chassis package before rival teams can close the gap. According to the former Formula 1 driver, this approach underlines Ferrari’s long-term thinking, showing that their focus is on building a championship-contending car for the upcoming season rather than maximizing the rest of 2025.

In conclusion, Jacques Villeneuve’s comments shed light on both Hamilton’s tactical race management and Ferrari’s forward-looking strategy, highlighting how team dynamics and strategic planning play a critical role in modern Formula 1.