Lewis Hamilton remained cautiously optimistic after finishing fifth in Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2, despite ending the session more than 1.3 seconds away from the leading pace. Ferrari endured a subdued opening day in Baku, but the seven-time world champion believes the data gathered on Thursday can help the team improve ahead of qualifying.
The picture was less encouraging on the timing screens. Ferrari appeared to have substantial work ahead after struggling to match Mercedes both over a single lap and during the high-fuel runs used to simulate race conditions. While Charles Leclerc was openly dissatisfied with Ferrari’s Baku pace deficit, Lewis Hamilton struck a more positive tone when assessing the opening two practice sessions.
Lewis Hamilton encouraged despite Ferrari’s Baku FP2 deficit
Lewis Hamilton finished fifth in FP2, more than 1.3 seconds behind his former Mercedes team-mate, but stressed that the day had still provided Ferrari with useful information.
“It’s always a pleasure to drive at this circuit, and overall it was a productive day,” Lewis Hamilton said. “The first session was encouraging, we were able to complete several laps consistently and establish a useful baseline to work from. There are some areas we need to analyse in more detail, but we collected a large amount of data that we will review this evening to understand where we can improve.”
That assessment gives Ferrari plenty to work through overnight after a Thursday in which the gap remained visible in both qualifying-style runs and the longer high-fuel simulations. The developing stint picture can also be followed through the ScuderiaFans F1 Practice & Long-Run Analysis.
Tyre preparation becomes Ferrari’s qualifying priority
For Lewis Hamilton, one area stands out ahead of the decisive Friday sessions: getting the tyres into their correct operating window consistently. The British driver explained that this has a direct effect not only on available grip but also on the overall balance of the SF-26.
“Tyre preparation remains an important area for us to focus on, particularly being able to consistently bring them into the correct operating window,” Lewis Hamilton explained. “That has a significant impact both on the grip available and on the overall balance of the car, so it will be one of our priorities ahead of qualifying tomorrow.”
The issue takes on added importance because qualifying has been one of Ferrari’s weaker areas with the SF-26. The team has not started from the front row since the Barcelona Grand Prix weekend, when Lewis Hamilton qualified second before going on to win the race the following day.
Ferrari looking to end four-race podium drought
Lewis Hamilton will also be hoping that Ferrari can reverse a run of four consecutive race weekends without a podium. Thursday’s performance in Azerbaijan offered no immediate guarantee that the sequence will end in Baku, particularly given the deficit seen against Mercedes, but the Briton believes the opening practice sessions have at least provided a useful foundation.
Ferrari now faces an important overnight analysis as engineers work through the data collected by both cars and search for improvements in tyre preparation and overall performance. With FP3 and qualifying still to come, the unusual Baku timetable leaves little time to find those gains. The complete running order and session times are available in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule.
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