Did Hamilton leave it too late on purpose?
Ferrari endured a bruising Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in Q2 and Charles Leclerc crashed in Q3, with the pair ultimately finishing eighth and ninth. Hamilton pitted after his team-mate and was allowed to pass Leclerc thanks to fresher tyres, with the understanding he would hand the place back if he could not make further progress.
As the race closed, Hamilton attempted to return the position but braked too late before the chequered flag. He apologised afterwards — but 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes the move was intentional.
Villeneuve argued that team orders were unnecessary because Hamilton would have overtaken Leclerc anyway on pace. In his view, that explains why Hamilton didn’t really want to let him by again.
Ferrari’s broader context
The result saw Ferrari slip to third in the constructors’ standings behind Mercedes. Villeneuve suggested the team’s focus may already be shifting toward the next regulatory era, noting that 2026 could represent a fresh start with new power unit rules.
Whether Hamilton’s late handback was a misjudgment or gamesmanship, the episode adds spice to both the intra-team dynamics at Ferrari and the wider battle between the sport’s front-runners.
