Lewis Hamilton hinted that the competitive order in Baku is shifting after Thursday’s free‑practice session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Speaking to the official Formula 1 website, the seven‑time world champion said, “Others just took another step,” referring to the noticeable improvement shown by Ferrari and, to a lesser extent, the midfield contenders.
Hamilton’s comments came after the British driver posted the third‑fastest lap of the day, trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The two Maranello cars topped the timing sheets, with Leclerc setting a best time of 1:42.938 and Sainz close behind at 1:43.021. Mercedes, meanwhile, struggled to find the optimal tyre window on the abrasive Baku surface, leaving Hamilton and teammate George Russell in the lower half of the top ten.
Ferrari’s strong showing in practice has reignited speculation about a possible resurgence in the championship battle. The team’s recent upgrades to the power unit and aerodynamic package appear to be paying dividends, especially on the high‑speed straight‑line sections that dominate the Baku circuit. In contrast, Mercedes appears to be grappling with brake cooling issues that have hampered their ability to push hard in the hot Azerbaijani climate.
For Indian fans, the race weekend will be broadcast live on FanCode, with practice sessions starting at 12:30 IST, qualifying at 16:00 IST and the Grand Prix kicking off at 20:00 IST on Sunday. Hamilton’s remarks add an extra layer of intrigue for viewers, as the championship narrative could shift dramatically if Ferrari continues to close the gap to Mercedes.
Hamilton’s candid assessment underscores the fluid nature of the 2024 season, where technical upgrades and tyre strategies can quickly alter the pecking order. As the teams head into qualifying, all eyes will be on whether Ferrari can convert their practice speed into a pole position, and whether Mercedes can recover the lost ground before the race‑day sprint.
Source: Formula1.com
