Lewis Hamilton struggles with qualifying slipstream at Baku GP
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 25, 2026, 2:59 PM
Last updated Sep 25, 2026
Lewis Hamilton encountered difficulties during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 25. He initially outperformed teammate Charles Leclerc by one-tenth of a second in Q1 but fell behind in the subsequent segments, concluding the session 0.257 seconds slower in Q2 and 0.495 seconds slower in Q3. Hamilton attributed his struggles to a lack of a slipstream, which impacted his performance. The results from this qualifying session could have implications for strategic decisions in the upcoming race.
- •Hamilton finished qualifying 0.495 seconds behind in Q3.
- •He struggled for pace after leading through Q1.
- •Ferrari's strategy left Hamilton without a slipstream.
- •Qualifying took place on September 25 at the Baku Grand Prix.
- 2:59 PMAutosport — Hamilton frustrated after late Ferrari qualifying strategy change: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’
- 2:41 PMMotorsport.com — Lewis Hamilton: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’ and ended up 0.5s slower
"Lewis Hamilton has rued Ferrari’s qualifying strategy at Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, explaining it left him without a slipstream. Hamilton’s performance worsened throughout qualifying on Friday in Baku, as he outpaced team-mate Charles Leclerc by exactly one tenth in Q1 before ending up 0.257s and 0.495s adrift in the following two segments respectively. As a consequence, he was ...Keep reading
"Lewis Hamilton has rued Ferrari’s qualifying strategy at Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, explaining it left him without a slipstream. Hamilton’s performance worsened throughout qualifying on Friday in Baku, as he outpaced team-mate Charles Leclerc by exactly one tenth in Q1 before ending up 0.257s and 0.495s adrift in the following two segments respectively. As a consequence, he was ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- AutosportSep 25, 2026, 2:59 PMHamilton frustrated after late Ferrari qualifying strategy change: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’
Lewis Hamilton has rued Ferrari’s qualifying strategy at Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, explaining it left him without a slipstream. Hamilton’s performance worsened throughout qualifying on Friday in Baku, as he outpaced team-mate Charles Leclerc by exactly one tenth in Q1 before ending up 0.257s and 0.495s adrift in the following two segments respectively. As a consequence, he was ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comSep 25, 2026, 2:41 PMLewis Hamilton: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’ and ended up 0.5s slower
Lewis Hamilton has rued Ferrari’s qualifying strategy at Formula 1’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, explaining it left him without a slipstream. Hamilton’s performance worsened throughout qualifying on Friday in Baku, as he outpaced team-mate Charles Leclerc by exactly one tenth in Q1 before ending up 0.257s and 0.495s adrift in the following two segments respectively. As a consequence, he was ...Keep reading
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