Ex-F1 Team Boss Slams Lewis Hamilton for ‘Falling Asleep’ over Charles Leclerc Swap at Azerbaijan GP

Guenther Steiner claimed that Lewis Hamilton fell asleep while giving his position back to Charles Leclerc on the final lap of the Azerbaijan GP.

Ex-F1 Team Boss Slams Lewis Hamilton for ‘Falling Asleep’ over Charles Leclerc Swap at Azerbaijan GP

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (via Getty)

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Scuderia Ferrari had an underwhelming weekend at the Azerbaijan GP. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled in Qualifying and the race. However, the final lap of the race sparked controversy within the Ferrari garage after Hamilton failed to follow team orders. Now, former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has hit out at the seven-time world champion.

During the race, Ferrari allowed Lewis Hamilton to pass Charles Leclerc as the Briton was on fresher tires. The Italian team hoped that Hamilton would be able to make up places by getting ahead on the road. Unfortunately, the seven-time world champion failed to gain a single position.

On the final straight, Ferrari asked the 40-year-old to give back the position to Leclerc since he had not made up places. However, Lewis Hamilton was too late when he tried to slow down and crossed the line just under half a second ahead of his teammate. After the race, Hamilton claimed that he was zoned out and made this mistake. The Briton finished in P8 with Leclerc in P9. Though the Monegasque was not happy with the way this unfolded.

Guenther Steiner claimed that Ferrari deserved to get the loser award for the Azerbaijan GP. The Prancing Horse not only failed to compete against Mercedes or Red Bull, but even got defeated by Racing Bulls and Williams. Moreover, Steiner was furious over the position swap mess on the final lap. He asserted that Lewis Hamilton essentially fell asleep when it came to giving back the position after focusing on something else.

I think we have to give the loser [award] this time to Ferrari, because eighth and ninth, beaten by Racing Bulls, beaten by Williams. The mess, not to let Charles past at the end, Lewis falling asleep to let him by because he was focused on something else.

Guenther Steiner said, as quoted by F1i.com

Guenther Steiner gives wake up call to Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari

Ferrari’s 2025 season has not met expectations. The Italian team had high hopes this year with Lewis Hamilton’s arrival. The Briton even dreamt of fighting for the championship. Now, with just 7 races to go, Hamilton has almost nothing to show for, not even a single podium. Though he did win the sprint race in China.

Lewis Hamilton (via Getty)
Lewis Hamilton (via Getty)

Guenther Steiner made it clear that the Scuderia needs a wake up call. Ferrari is battling for second place in the constructors’ standings. However, it is the only team in the top 4 to not have a victory this season. McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes have all won races. Steiner reckoned that Mercedes might be the favorite for the runner-up spot in the championship this year.

They need a wake up call if they want to finish second, which will be very difficult because Mercedes won races, Red Bull won races, Ferrari haven’t won a race yet. Any of the three, they are so close together, it’s too early to call it. If Mercedes has a good race and they win a race, and Kimi can score some points, they can be in front.

Guenther Steiner explained

Certainly, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are having a difficult year. The Scuderia simply isn’t getting things in order to bring results. Moreover, the position swap fiasco in Baku has only created further tensions within the team. The next couple of weeks will be crucial at Maranello to get everything sorted before the end of the season.

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