Lewis Hamilton has criticised Formula 1’s decision to shorten Grand Prix distances from 2027, arguing that modern races are physically easier than ever and should become longer rather than shorter. The seven-time world champion also questioned whether introducing a Sprint at Monaco can solve the Principality’s racing problems, while his immediate focus with Ferrari remains on finally delivering a clean weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton arrived in Baku convinced that Ferrari has not yet fully exploited the potential it has shown during recent races. Following the Madrid weekend, the British driver held discussions with the engineers to review the team’s work over the previous weeks, with particular attention paid to the areas where Ferrari can improve its execution across a Grand Prix weekend. The wider picture of his recent Ferrari campaign can also be followed through the latest Lewis Hamilton news and analysis.
“I spoke with the engineers,” Lewis Hamilton explained, “analysing what we did well and the areas where we may have made mistakes or missed something. We are always trying to improve, and I’m excited to try to address some of these areas.”
Lewis Hamilton identifies tyre management as a Ferrari opportunity
One area where Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari can still extract more performance is tyre management. Getting the compounds into the correct operating window can make a major difference to lap time, and the seven-time world champion feels there is still room for the Scuderia to improve its understanding and execution.
“I think people watching the races often don’t appreciate the importance of the tyres, but if you can get them working correctly, they can give you a huge amount of performance. It’s a science in itself, an area where we can do better and where quite a lot of performance could come from.”
Tyres have become an important part of how Formula 1 weekends develop, particularly when teams are trying to balance qualifying preparation, degradation and race strategy. Compound choices and stint patterns can be explored further through the ScuderiaFans F1 Tyre & Stint Analysis.
Ferrari needs confidence and clean execution in Baku
Baku will provide a very particular test. The Azerbaijan street circuit places a heavy emphasis on confidence under braking, with several areas where even a small mistake can carry significant consequences. Lewis Hamilton specifically highlighted Turns 3, 4, 7, 8 and 15 as sections where trusting the balance of the car will be essential.
The challenge is not limited to braking. Ferrari also faces an important power-unit and energy-management test on Baku’s long acceleration zones, an area examined in detail in the analysis of Ferrari’s Baku energy-deployment challenge.
Despite the demands of the circuit, Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari’s technical position is considerably more encouraging than it was earlier in the season. What the team needs now, in his view, is to convert that progress into a complete weekend without mistakes or missed opportunities.
“We are much happier with where we have got to with the development of the car this year. I think Charles Leclerc and I have both shown good pace in the last few races. We just need a clean weekend. You have to find the rhythm immediately, build confidence in ourselves and in the car, and then execute everything correctly.”
That emphasis on execution comes after a difficult Madrid weekend in which Lewis Hamilton retired with a brake-by-wire problem. Ferrari subsequently identified the issue behind the retirement, with more detail available in the breakdown of the cause of Lewis Hamilton’s Madrid brake failure.
Lewis Hamilton does not expect a Baku engine penalty
Lewis Hamilton does not currently expect to take a grid penalty in Azerbaijan for using an additional power-unit component. His Madrid retirement meant the engine used during the previous weekend accumulated less mileage than Ferrari had originally expected, effectively reducing the strain on his planned power-unit allocation.
“I don’t think I’ll have to take a penalty. Obviously, in the last race we didn’t complete the mileage we expected, so in a way I gained a race. We should be okay.”
There is still a performance consideration, however. Lewis Hamilton pointed out that an inevitable difference exists between a completely fresh power unit and one that has already completed several Grand Prix weekends. Ferrari therefore has to consider not only component availability but also the performance implications of the units in its rotation.
The full timetable for the weekend, including practice, qualifying and race times, is available in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule.
Lewis Hamilton opposes shorter F1 races for 2027
Lewis Hamilton was even more direct when the discussion turned towards the future of Formula 1. The decision to reduce the standard Grand Prix distance from 305 kilometres to 290 kilometres from 2027 does not appeal to the seven-time world champion. In fact, he believes the championship should move in precisely the opposite direction.
“I think the races should be longer, because physically they are easier than ever today. Shortening them doesn’t make much sense to me. This weekend we have the C3, C4 and C5 compounds, which can practically cover the entire race distance, and we know there are many Grands Prix where you do just one stop and it isn’t particularly demanding. There have been many races where I wished there were more laps.”
For Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 should continue to represent the highest benchmark not only for technical performance but also for the physical demands placed on drivers. He pointed towards Singapore and the return of Malaysia as examples of the sort of challenge he would like to see more frequently.
“This should be the most physically and mentally demanding sport. There are races that are incredibly hot and where you are genuinely at the limit. Singapore is extremely tough and Malaysia this year is going to be crazy. That’s where you want to see athletes at the limit of their performance, forced to push their bodies even further. This sport has to push levels and limits. So shortening the races makes absolutely no sense to me.”
That philosophy also shapes how Lewis Hamilton believes Formula 1 should choose its circuits. The return to Sepang is particularly welcome for the British driver, not only because of the connection he has developed with Kuala Lumpur over the years, but also because he considers the Malaysian circuit capable of producing entertaining racing.
“When deciding which circuits we race at during the year, that should be part of the decision-making process. We want good races for the fans, not races where you don’t see any overtaking.”
Lewis Hamilton misses the physical challenge of older F1 cars and circuits
Lewis Hamilton also admitted that there are elements of Formula 1’s past that he misses. He identified 2020 as one of the most physically demanding seasons of his career because of the extremely high levels of downforce generated by the cars at the time.
The seven-time world champion also prefers circuits that punish mistakes more severely than many modern venues. “I don’t like all these run-off areas. I miss the old days, when there was less space and more grass and gravel.”
His argument is consistent with the broader point he made about race distances: Formula 1 should, in his view, test drivers physically and mentally rather than progressively reducing the challenge.
Lewis Hamilton says Monaco Sprint is not the solution
Lewis Hamilton has similar reservations about the decision to introduce a Sprint at Monaco, one of the changes scheduled for the 2027 calendar. He welcomes the fact that the format will create an additional qualifying session, but does not believe that adding a Sprint addresses the fundamental limitations of racing around the streets of Monte Carlo.
“For me, it doesn’t make sense. The positive side is that we’ll have another qualifying session, and that’s nice. But I’ve always said that Monaco needs something different. I don’t think it should have the same race format that we use everywhere.”
That does not mean Lewis Hamilton is questioning the value or appeal of Monaco itself. On the contrary, he remains highly complimentary about the experience of driving the circuit. His criticism is specifically directed at the quality of the race and the difficulty Formula 1 faces in creating overtaking opportunities there.
“It’s a beautiful place and an incredible circuit to drive, but the race is as boring as a race can be. I don’t know what the solution is, but I would say the Sprint is not the answer.”
For now, however, the immediate priority is Baku. Ferrari believes its recent pace has offered reasons for encouragement, while Lewis Hamilton sees tyre management, confidence and clean weekend execution as areas that can still unlock performance. After several weekends in which the potential of the SF-26 has not always translated into the final result, Azerbaijan offers another opportunity to put the pieces together.
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