Hamilton sets sights on Russell amid defence of Ferrari's season

Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver sets sights on George Russell in F1 championship amid defence of team's season "I think it's also just having to think about where we were last year and where we've come to this year," says Lewis Hamilton on Ferrari's fading title challenge; watch Thursday's practice sessions for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 9.30am and 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1 Wednesday 23 September 2026 14:43, UK Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari's season can still rank as a "huge achievement" if they finish in the top three of the Drivers' Championship, asking critics to "look at the positives" of the team's year despite recent setbacks. Hamilton and Ferrari's hopes of winning this years world title have faded in recent races, with the Briton not finishing on the podium since the British Grand Prix at the start of July. A first race retirement of the season last time out in Madrid saw third-placed Hamilton fall over 100 points back on championship-leading Kimi Antonelli for the first time this season, with the seven-time champion all-but conceding the title. - Azerbaijan GP schedule: Why is the race on Saturday? - F1 2026 standings | F1 2026 calendar | F1 Gossip Column - Download the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱 - Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream F1 with no contract 📺 Antonelli's overall lead at the top of the standings is 81 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell. Asked about his own championship prospects heading into weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the season's 15th of a scheduled 23 rounds, Hamilton said: "I mean, he's 101 points ahead of me. "Just in two races he gained something like 40-odd points on me, and we've been working so hard to gain just a couple of points here and there. "There is still a long way to go and I think the focus for me is, if we can hold on to second - if not somehow catch Mercedes - for the constructors' I think that would be remarkable. "I think it's also just having to think about where we were last year and where we've come to this year and whilst it sometimes seems doom and gloom, you actually have to look at the positives." Ferrari endured a winless 2025 campaign and slipped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship, with Hamilton himself experiencing a difficult first campaign in red with no podiums for the first time in his career. But he won for the first time at June's Spanish Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc triumphing two races later at Silverstone. Hamilton added: "We've been fighting, we've had wins and podiums, the team have done an incredible job in terms of bringing upgrades, so you really have to acknowledge the good things that we've done this year. "I know lots of people focus on the negatives. For me, again, if I can battle with George and somehow get ahead of him, which will be very difficult as Mercedes are the leaders. "If at the end of the year, managing to stay in the top three, even second, I think would be a huge achievement for us as a team." Hamilton is 20 points behind Russell, his former Mercedes team-mate, in the standings. 'I believe we can make improvements' Ferrari have consistently looked competitive early on in race weekends but the team's recent results have often been compromised by issues within their own control. "I think there's positives to take out of the last few races, it's just they haven't been, I would say, the best in terms of execution and we've not had the best results," said Hamilton. "But the positives we take forwards and we try and learn from the areas we weren't as good. I believe we can make improvements and I think we have. "I'm excited for this weekend." Sky Sports F1's Azerbaijan GP live schedule Thursday September 24 6.55am: F2 Practice 9am: Azerbaijan GP Practice One (session starts at 9.30am)* 10.55am: F2 Qualifying* 12pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference 12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Practice Two (session starts at 1pm) 2.15pm: The F1 Show Friday September 25 5.10am: F2 Sprint* 9.15am: Azerbaijan GP Practice Three (session starts at 9.30am)* 11.10am: F2 Feature Race 1* 12.30pm: Azerbaijan GP Qualifying build-up* 1PM: AZERBAIJAN GP QUALIFYING* 3pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook Saturday September 26 7.55am: F2 Feature Race 2 10.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Azerbaijan GP build-up* 12PM: THE AZERBAIJAN GRAND PRIX* 2pm: Chequered Flag: Azerbaijan GP reaction* 3pm: Ted's Notebook* *also live on Sky Sports Main Event Racing on a Saturday! The 2026 Formula 1 season continues live on Sky Sports F1 this week as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicks off a triple-header of races, with the Baku race taking place on Saturday at midday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime [Image text:] de SYS CG ELLI RONI ami TEC