Lewis Hamilton has admitted he “misjudged” a late-race call from Ferrari after failing to let team-mate Charles Leclerc past on the final lap of a dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion crossed the line in eighth, just ahead of Leclerc, despite Ferrari instructing him to swap positions as the chequered flag loomed.
Radio footage widely shared on social media captured the message: “Charles 1.5 behind you, it’s the last lap, let him by.”
Hamilton appeared to slow as he approached the finish but not enough for Leclerc to close the gap, meaning the order was never carried out.
Some observers questioned whether Ferrari had left the call too late for Hamilton to execute the move safely, with the instruction coming only moments before the line.
F1 journalist Kunal Shah wrote: “Lewis Hamilton ignored Ferrari’s team order to swap back with Charles Leclerc on the last lap.”
Hamilton, however, insisted after the race that there was no intent to defy the team and promised to avoid a repeat.
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Lewis Hamilton has admitted he “misjudged” a late-race call from Ferrari after failing to let team-mate Charles Leclerc past on the final lap of a dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix
|REUTERS
“I misjudged it. It won’t happen again,” he told media in Baku.
The incident added intrigue to what had already been a chaotic afternoon on the Caspian shores.
The drama began almost immediately as championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed out on the opening lap after locking up at Turn Six and slamming into the wall.
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“The crash – just didn’t anticipate the dirty air in the way I should have,” the Australian admitted afterwards.
“Clearly went into the corner way too hot and that was that.”
Here’s the audio. Lewis definitely slowed down to let him by….pic.twitter.com/kmXr004Pn6
— sim (@simsgazette) September 21, 2025
The reigning world champion converted pole position into victory with a flawless drive, finishing comfortably ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in second and Williams’ Carlos Sainz in third.
“This weekend has been incredible for us,” Verstappen said afterwards.
“Monza was already great but to win here is fantastic.
"The car was working really well on both compounds, we had clean air all the time, so you could look after your tyres, and it was pretty straightforward.”
Hamilton’s eighth-place finish – and the minor intra-team controversy surrounding it – is likely to dominate Ferrari’s debrief ahead of the next round in Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton could only finish eighth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
|REUTERS
For Leclerc, who had been pushing to overtake on merit earlier in the race, the lost position could prove costly as the season’s midfield battle remains tight.
The Singapore Grand Prix, one of the most physically demanding events on the calendar, takes place in two weeks and will give Ferrari an early chance to reset and clarify their approach to team orders as the season heads into its decisive phase.