Overview

• Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished eighth and ninth in Baku after a qualifying slump that saw Hamilton out in Q2 and Leclerc crash in Q3.
• The result left Ferrari third in the Constructors’ standings, four points behind Mercedes, with Red Bull close behind in fourth according to recent totals.
• A late team-orders error compounded the weekend when Hamilton was told to return position to Leclerc but crossed the line before doing so.
• Guenther Steiner labeled Ferrari the weekend’s “loser” on The Red Flags podcast and urged the team to wake up to protect a bid for second place.
• The criticism follows a run of underperformance since the summer break and no wins this season, with seven races remaining and form among the top three contenders fluctuating.