Lewis Hamilton has expressed severe disappointment and self-criticism after a challenging qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, now driving for Ferrari, qualified in 12th position, a stark contrast to his teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured a surprising pole position. This result marks another low point in what Hamilton has described as a "real battle" of a season with the Scuderia.
Hamilton didn't hold back in his assessment of his performance. When asked by Sky Sports F1 about his radio message, where he repeated "every time, every time," he responded, "It's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless". He further suggested that Ferrari "probably need to change driver," given the car's capability, as demonstrated by Leclerc's pole position. In a separate interview with F1 TV, Hamilton reiterated his self-assessment, stating, "It clearly is. I drove terribly. It is what it is".
This disappointing qualifying result follows a similar setback at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Hamilton was eliminated in Q1. Although he managed to recover and finish seventh in the race at Spa, securing the Driver of the Day award, the consecutive qualifying struggles highlight the challenges he's facing this season. At the Hungaroring, a circuit where Hamilton holds a record nine pole positions and eight wins, the Q2 exit was particularly disheartening.
Several factors may be contributing to Hamilton's struggles. Adjusting to a new team and car after many years with Mercedes is a significant undertaking. Hamilton himself acknowledged the "intense" work required to integrate into Ferrari's culture, admitting that "it's not gone smoothly in all areas". The 2025 Ferrari has shown flashes of pace, but it has not consistently challenged McLaren and Red Bull for poles and wins. This inconsistency can make it difficult for a driver to find a rhythm and extract the maximum performance from the car.
Despite the difficult qualifying session, there was a glimmer of positivity in Hamilton's remarks about Leclerc's pole position. He congratulated Leclerc and the team, acknowledging that "clearly the car is capable of being on pole". This suggests that Hamilton still believes in the potential of the Ferrari package and is motivated to contribute to the team's success.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur commented on Hamilton's performance, stating that Hamilton was only a few hundredths of a second away from making it into Q3. Vasseur acknowledged Hamilton's frustration but emphasized the need to learn from the experience. He also pointed out that Hamilton had a "fantastic race" the previous week, indicating that the team still has confidence in his abilities.
Looking ahead to the race, Hamilton faces an uphill battle to secure a strong result from 12th on the grid. His strength this season has been his race performances, and he will need to rely on his racecraft and strategic decisions to move forward. The Hungaroring is a tight and twisty circuit, making overtaking difficult, but not impossible. A good start and effective tire management will be crucial for Hamilton to salvage points from the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The struggles Hamilton is facing in 2025 are a stark contrast to his dominant years with Mercedes. While he secured a sprint pole and victory in China, he is yet to achieve a Grand Prix podium with Ferrari, with three fourth-place finishes being his best results. He currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings and hasn't had a podium finish in 15 races. Despite these challenges, Hamilton's determination and talent are undeniable, and he will be looking to turn things around in the upcoming races.
