Lewis Hamilton makes heartbreaking confession following qualification 2 exit at Hungarian Grand Prix: "They need to change driver"

In a weekend that started with promise and ended in frustration, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton endured another bitter disappointment at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver failed to make it past Q2 in Saturday’s qualifying, ultimately placing 12th on the grid — a result that left him visibly dejected and emotionally drained.

A promising start that quickly faded

Hamilton had shown glimpses of competitiveness during the FP3 session, finishing fourth and closely trailing pole-sitter Charles Leclerc. It came after a difficult Friday, where Hamilton had described his performance as a "big struggle" and noted he was “quite far off” the pace.

Unfortunately, that upward trajectory didn’t carry into qualifying. In a session that demanded perfection, Hamilton’s efforts fell short. As the clock wound down in Q2, Lewis Hamilton found himself out of contention for Q3, marking a second consecutive disappointing qualifying session after his Q1 exit in Belgium just two weeks prior.

"I’m Useless" – Lewis Hamilton's emotional reaction

Following the underwhelming performance, a despondent Hamilton didn’t mince his words. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the 39-year-old made a heartbreaking admission:

“I’m useless, absolutely useless.”

When pressed about his struggles and the team’s progress — particularly after Leclerc clinched pole position in the same machinery — Lewis Hamilton doubled down on the self-blame:

“The team, they have no problem – you’ve seen the car is on pole. So, they probably need to change driver.”

His comments struck a chord with fans and pundits alike, many of whom were left shocked by the raw vulnerability shown by one of the sport’s most accomplished figures.

A crisis of confidence?

In a follow-up interview with F1 TV, Hamilton stood by his earlier remarks, even as the interviewer attempted to point out his legendary track record and past heroics.

“It clearly is. I drove terribly. It is what it is,” Hamilton reiterated, reflecting a deep sense of disappointment.

This back-to-back qualifying setback raises concerns about Hamilton’s confidence behind the wheel — particularly as the Ferrari SF-25 continues to evolve through major updates. Though he bounced back in Belgium with a solid race drive to P7, the qualifying sessions tell a different story: one of a veteran driver struggling to extract the most from a competitive car.

What lies ahead?

While there’s no question about Lewis Hamilton’s commitment or passion for the sport, this latest performance suggests a crossroads in his current campaign. Whether it’s a temporary form slump or something more concerning, the Hungarian GP served as a stark reminder that even the best face moments of doubt.