Lewis Hamilton expressed deep frustration after a lackluster qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, describing himself as “useless” and hinting that Ferrari might need to reconsider its driver lineup. The seven-time world champion was knocked out in the second qualifying segment, securing only 12th place at the Hungaroring on a weekend where his teammate Charles Leclerc stunned many by taking pole position.
Details of Hamilton’s Struggles and Comparisons with Leclerc
At a circuit where Hamilton holds the record for nine pole positions, his performance this time was notably below expectations. He was eliminated in Q2 while Leclerc outpaced competitive McLaren drivers to claim the top starting spot. This marks a continuation of Hamilton’s recent difficulties, which began during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, where he failed to make it past the initial phases of both Sprint and full qualifying sessions. Over the course of this season, Leclerc has now bested Hamilton 12 times to five in one-lap qualifying battles.
Hamilton’s Own Reflections and Comments After Qualifying
During the session, Hamilton’s repeated radio message was a clear expression of his frustration: “Every time, every time.” In a post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1, when asked about those remarks, Hamilton was blunt.
“It’s me every time. I’m useless, absolutely useless.”
Despite his harsh self-assessment, he acknowledged that the team’s car performance was not at fault, noting,
“The team have no problem. You’ve seen the car’s on pole,”
referencing Leclerc’s pole position.
Suggestions About Ferrari’s Driver Situation
Adding to his candid remarks, Hamilton suggested a change might be needed within Ferrari’s driver lineup.
“So they probably need to change driver,”
he stated, implying that changes could be necessary to improve the team’s results moving forward.
Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton’s Season Ahead
Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying, particularly compared to his teammate’s strong performances, highlight ongoing challenges for both himself and Ferrari. With the Hungarian Grand Prix being the last race before the sport’s summer break, there is renewed pressure on Hamilton to regain competitiveness. How Ferrari responds to Hamilton’s comments and the team‘s internal dynamics may significantly influence their progress for the remainder of the Formula 1 season.
