Following a difficult weekend for Lewis Hamilton at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff offered a strong defense of the seven-time world champion. Hamilton faced a tough challenge throughout the Budapest race weekend, starting with his elimination in the second round of qualifying. This led the British driver to describe himself as “useless” in post-session comments that reflected his frustration.
Wolff, who has worked closely with Hamilton for over a decade, explained that the driver often shows his emotions openly, especially when things do not go as planned. The team boss emphasized that Hamilton’s candid and raw reactions come from his high standards and self-expectations, which sometimes result in doubt during difficult moments.
“No, that is Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve. It’s what he thought very much when he was asked after the session was very raw. He was doubting himself, and we had it in the past. When he felt that he had underperformed his expectations, and the team had its own goal, he’s been that emotional, emotionally transparent since he was a young boy, a young adult,” he said during his interaction with the media.
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
“So, he’s going to beat himself up. He’s the GOAT. And he will always be the GOAT, and nobody’s going to take that away. For sure, no single weekend or race season hasn’t gone to plan.”
—Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal
Wolff’s support followed similar backing from Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, demonstrating respect across rival teams for Hamilton’s record and stature in Formula 1. With the championship ongoing, Hamilton now turns his focus to the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, seeking to recover from this challenging stretch.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on His Performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton openly addressed his disappointment following the Hungary GP. The Mercedes driver acknowledged the weekend as tough, yet signaled his intent to move forward without dwelling on setbacks. He also expressed gratitude toward the Ferrari team for their efforts over the course of the event.
“It’s been a challenging weekend and one to move on from. We weren’t able to make the progress we hoped for, but I’m grateful for the effort everyone in the team put in throughout the weekend. Now we head into the break. I’ll be using the time to reset, recharge and come back stronger. I’m not where I want to be yet, but the fight’s not over – don’t count me out.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Driver
Hamilton’s season so far has seen him struggle to reach the podium, having completed fourteen races without securing a top-three finish. As the Formula 1 calendar moves to its fifteenth round in Zandvoort, the 40-year-old hopes to end this performance drought and return to his customary competitiveness.
Significance of Hamilton’s Current Challenges and Future Outlook
The Hungarian Grand Prix represented a notable low point in Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 season, underscoring a broader challenge as he battles inconsistency and strong competition. Toto Wolff’s defense and Hamilton’s forthright remarks reinforce the emotional and mental toll that such struggles can impose on a driver of his calibre. However, both emphasize resilience and perspective, with the focus now on regrouping during the mid-season break.
Looking ahead, Hamilton’s experience and determination will be critical as Mercedes aims to restore its form and pursue better results. The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort offers an opportunity for Hamilton to demonstrate that his status as one of Formula 1’s greatest remains secure, despite recent difficulties. His continued commitment to the sport, combined with support from his team leadership, will shape the next phase of his campaign.
