In a candid moment of self-reflection, seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton described himself as “useless” following a disappointing qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he could only manage a 12th-place finish. Contrastingly, his teammate Charles Leclerc celebrated his position on pole, highlighting the stark differences between the two drivers’ performances and raising questions about Hamilton’s current form.
The British driver, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes earlier this year, has struggled to adapt to his new team, a process that has not gone as smoothly as he had hoped. After narrowly missing the cut by a mere 15 thousandths of a second, Hamilton conveyed his frustrations to Sky Sports, lamenting, “It’s me every time. I’m useless, absolutely useless.” His candid admission underscored the urgency for improvement, as he added, “The team have no problem. You’ve seen the car’s on pole. So we probably need to change driver.”
Hamilton’s struggles are surprising, considering his unrivalled history in Hungary, where he boasts an incredible eight wins and nine pole positions. However, the current season has not been kind to him; the 40-year-old has yet to stand on the podium in a race, marking a significant departure from his record-breaking past that began with a strong rookie season in 2007. With just two victories over Leclerc in 13 races this season, and a steady 30-point deficit in the standings, the pressure continues to mount.
Further emphasising his vulnerability, Hamilton confessed to F1 TV, “I drove terribly. It is what it is,” a sentiment that reflects the mounting challenges he has faced in integrating into the Ferrari culture. “Integrating into a new culture and into a new team. It’s not gone smoothly in all areas, and it’s been a real battle,” he explained. His comments resonate deeply with the idea that adapting to change in such a competitive sport can be exceptionally arduous.
As the F1 calendar approaches the August break, Hamilton acknowledged the toll this season has taken on him, describing it as “definitely the most intense one” from a work perspective. Anticipating the need for time away, he foreshadowed that there would “surely be some tears at some point” as he evaluates what lies ahead in his career.
In sharp contrast, Leclerc’s performance this season has been notable, with five top-three finishes in 13 races. As the Monegasque driver seeks to build on his momentum in the upcoming Grand Prix, Hamilton will be left to ponder his future within Ferrari and whether he can reclaim the form that once made him a dominant force in the sport.