Ferrari could not keep pace with the front-runners at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix of Formula 1, finishing without a podium. However, McLaren scored zero points for the weekend, and therefore the Italian team may make Lewis Hamilton’s engine penalty easier to take than it was a week ago.
Charles Leclerc finished in fourth and the seven-time champion in sixth, adding 20 points to the Maranello outfit. The Italian squad sits in second place in the Constructors’ Championship with 378 to 306 for the Woking team, increasing the lead from 52 to 72.
Before the weekend in Azerbaijan, GPblog reported that Hamilton is prepared to take a power unit penalty, and that Mexico City and Interlagos are the most probable venues for the competitor to start from the back of the grid. The reason is the forecast that he will need a fifth engine.
Following the plan, Ferrari would bring new power units and, subsequently, alternate the use of two power units with specification ADUO 2 in the remaining rounds. The team’s priority is to distribute the penalties across different weekends and preserve the Constructors’ Championship.
When the plan was revealed, McLaren was only 52 points behind, but now the margin has widened, giving the Maranello outfit a larger breathing space. Additionally, for the Drivers’ Championship, Lewis accumulated eight points and increased his advantage to 13 over Lando Norris.
This is crucial, after all; a weekend starting from the back of the pack is essential for the 2025 champion to progress in the standings. Charles Leclerc sits in fifth with 179 points, 20 behind Hamilton, and now both championships are giving more room to the Italian team.
