UPDATE: Tensions flared at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur clarified the team’s controversial orders to Lewis Hamilton during the final lap of the race. This incident, which unfolded on September 19, 2025, has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Vasseur revealed that Hamilton was instructed to swap positions with Charles Leclerc, who had previously allowed Hamilton to pass. “Let Charles by, he’s one and a half seconds behind you,” race engineer Riccardo Adami communicated via radio. The last lap unfolded with Hamilton on fresher medium tires, prompting Ferrari to seek a strategic advantage to potentially overtake competitors Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson.
The situation took a turn when Ferrari requested Hamilton to relinquish his position back to Leclerc. Despite Hamilton’s attempt to comply, he misjudged the finish line’s proximity, resulting in an awkward finish for both drivers. “At the end, I got the message really late on… I was still hopeful maybe,” Hamilton stated, acknowledging the miscommunication.
Vasseur defended the strategy, emphasizing the tire advantage Hamilton held. “We asked Charles to let him go to try to overtake Lawson and Tsunoda or Norris,” he explained. The decision was intended to maximize Ferrari’s chances in the race, especially considering Leclerc was struggling with engine recovery issues.
As the race concluded, the implications of this mixed messaging raised questions about team dynamics and strategy. Hamilton finished in eighth place, while Leclerc came in ninth, a situation that could have been avoided with clearer communication.
The race’s results saw Max Verstappen of Red Bull take the victory, followed by George Russell from Mercedes and Carlos Sainz from Williams rounding out the podium. The fallout from Ferrari’s decision will undoubtedly be analyzed in the coming days, as fans and pundits dissect what went wrong.
What’s next for Ferrari? Fans will be watching closely as the team seeks to refine its communication and strategy in future races. With the competitive landscape of Formula 1 always evolving, every decision counts, and Ferrari must ensure clarity to avoid further missteps.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and more analysis is shared on the implications of Ferrari’s team orders on both Hamilton and Leclerc’s season.