Lewis Hamilton questions Ferrari strategy: “We didn’t have the right tyres at the end” | Azerbaijan qualifying. Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated after failing to reach Q3 in Baku.

Hamilton puzzled by Ferrari choices in Baku qualifying

The optimism expressed by Lewis Hamilton on Thursday, reinforced by strong performances in Friday’s free practice sessions, collided with the harsh reality of qualifying at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion failed to reach Q3 and will have to start the race from twelfth position. A cold shower, unexpected even for him, but according to the British driver the reasons are very clear.

Lewis Hamilton: “There’s something we need to take note of”

Speaking after qualifying in Baku, Lewis Hamilton admitted he had very different expectations for the day: “I’m so disappointed. Yesterday the car felt good, today we went in a direction that on paper seemed right, but we didn’t have the right tyres. Our pace was strong. We were progressing, I was really feeling good, I didn’t make any mistakes, I didn’t go off track. It was simply that we didn’t have the right tyre at the end.”

Reflecting on the error that he believes affected today’s result, Lewis Hamilton explained: “I think the execution definitely should have been better. There’s certainly something we need to take note of and improve. I believe everyone in the top 10 had three sets of mediums, I only had two, and it was clear that the medium compound was quicker. I didn’t have it, so it was a real shame.”

As for why he ended up with one less set of mediums at such a decisive stage of the weekend, the Ferrari driver explained it came down to a decision made during Friday’s free practice: “Everyone ahead of me had the medium tyre, but I lost a set of mediums in FP2 because of the run plan, and that put me at a disadvantage.”

The final attempt slips away

On a day further complicated by weather conditions and numerous red flag interruptions, Lewis Hamilton was left without the chance to complete a final attempt at the end of Q2: “I wanted to try another lap, but I didn’t have the fuel. They told me the warm-up lap was too long or something like that, so we ran out of time and fuel. It wasn’t great, but we’ll discuss it internally.”

Despite the disappointment of missing out in Baku qualifying, Lewis Hamilton remains encouraged by the progress he has felt with the SF-25 at the start of the weekend: “There were also plenty of positives. I’m really sorry because I wanted to deliver a good result for the guys here and for everyone working at the factory. Honestly, I thought I was aiming for pole today, so it’s a bit of a shock. I’ll take it seriously and keep pushing.” – the British driver concluded.