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Lewis Hamilton cut a dejected figure after a punishing Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that saw him finish a lap down, outside the points, and emotionally exhausted. The seven-time World Champion delivered one of his bluntest post-race assessments to date, stating, “I’m glad it’s over,” after a performance he himself described as “pretty bad.”
Qualifying woes set the tone
Hamilton’s struggles began early at the Hungaroring. After a rocky opening day of practice, the Briton failed to progress beyond Q2 in qualifying, ultimately lining up 12th on the grid. Speaking after the session, Lewis Hamilton was unusually critical of himself and the team setup, remarking:
“I was absolutely useless” and going as far as to say that Ferrari “probably need to change driver.”
It was a rare moment of raw candor from the decorated veteran, who typically maintains composure even in adversity. The remarks sent shockwaves through the paddock and left fans questioning the depth of his current frustrations.
Race day offers no relief
Any hope of a Sunday resurgence quickly faded. Around the narrow, technical Hungarian circuit, Hamilton found little opportunity to move forward. Despite his efforts, he ended the 70-lap race where he started — 12th — and a full lap behind race winner Lando Norris.
Asked if any progress was possible during the Grand Prix, Hamilton responded flatly: “Not really, no. Just stuck where I was.” The lack of competitiveness was evident, and the disappointment, palpable.
"There’s a lot going on in the background"
In a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1, Lewis Hamilton was pressed to elaborate on his biting post-qualifying remarks. He responded cryptically, suggesting deeper issues behind the scenes:
“Not particularly. When you have a feeling, you have a feeling. There’s a lot going on in the background that is not great.”
Though Hamilton stopped short of revealing specifics, his comments hint at growing tension within the Ferrari camp or possible frustrations related to car development, team dynamics, or both.
Domenicali offers public support
Amid the growing speculation and emotional fatigue, F1 President Stefano Domenicali stood firmly behind the British driver.
“Lewis is a jewel, he is an incredible athlete... he wants to achieve his eighth title, and he will triumph again,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1. “Stay with Lewis, and he will do a great race after the summer break.”
As the sport heads into its mid-season break, Lewis Hamilton will look to regroup mentally and physically. With Charles Leclerc finishing fourth despite a chassis issue, there’s clear pace to unlock at Ferrari — but Hamilton’s ability to bounce back will likely define the tone of his second half of the season.
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