Lewis Hamilton during the Dutch Grand Prix. Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton fails to pay Leclerc back: Misjudgement or statement?

16:42, 22 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Lewis Hamilton failed to give the position back to Charles Leclerc as Ferrari instructed the Briton to do at the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but was it a misjudgment or more of a statement?

Lewis Hamilton in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton, on fresh rubber, showed his pace was clearly better than teammate Leclerc's at that moment of the race. Ferrari responded by asking the Monegasque let him go to try and attack the drivers further up the order.

Hamilton tried to get close to the trio ahead but could not make any headway on Liam Lawson in P5, Yuki Tsunoda in P6 and Lando Norris in P7.

On the last lap Hamilton was instructed by Ferrari to let Leclerc by and return the favour Leclerc had paid in letting him pass, however, it was an order that the British driver failed to oblige. Although he did lift and hit the brakes, he still crossed the finish line in P8 ahead of Leclerc in P9, whom Hamilton claimed had simply "missed it", with regards to Leclerc taking back the place.

The incident sparked debate as Leclerc spoke of Hamilton breaking the previously-agreed team rules that govern how Ferrari go racing. The Scuderia's team principal Frédéric Vasseur also labeled the incident a misjudgement on the British driver's part.

GPblog's panel reacts: Misjudgement or statement

Ben Hunt, columnist and editorial advisor to GPblog

"I have spent long enough covering Hamilton's career to know that it is total nonsense to suggest he'd turn over a team order for an eighth-place finish! Why would he risk upsetting the team harmony for such a lowly position? It is not logical and those suggesting otherwise are speaking nonsense!

"What we should be speaking about it's why Ferrari are so far off the pace. What has gone wrong that their drivers are unable to pass midfield teams? This season was always going to be one of experiments, but surely nobody expected the situation to be this bad. All eyes now on 2026?"

Norberto Mujica, managing editor for GPblog

"After the race Hamilton claimed it had been a misjudgement on his part, saying he was 'zoned in' and whilst acknowledging that there was a miniscule chance of him overtaking the car ahead, he simply got carried away and timed the decision too late.

"For a seven-time world champion, a driver of his capacities and abilities, to fail at properly timing a task as simple as giving a position back to his teammate, springs many questions to mind.

"Leclerc's reaction is also telling and may provide a glimpse into the real ongoings behind the scenes at Maranello. It was a statement."

Kada Sarkozi, managing editor for GPblog

"This situation matters mostly because it involves Ferrari. Whether they finish eighth or ninth doesn’t change much from the team’s perspective, but it is in the spotlight again because of how it was executed.

"I don’t think either Hamilton or Leclerc would refuse to let the other through for P8. Hamilton even suggested letting Leclerc through earlier this year in China."

After hearing GPblog's editorial panel's opinion, where do our readers stand? Misjudgement or statement? Vote in the poll below and let us know what you think in the comments!