Lewis Hamilton Faces Setback in Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying

The 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying turned out to be a challenging session for Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time World Champion suffered an unexpected Q2 elimination, finishing 12th, while his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, clinched pole position. Hamilton’s frustration was evident as he openly criticized his performance, calling himself “absolutely useless” and suggesting Ferrari “probably need to change driver.”
Hamilton’s Struggles Continue Despite Practice Improvements
Throughout Friday’s practice sessions at the Hungaroring, Hamilton had difficulty finding pace, admitting he was “quite far off.” There was a glimmer of hope in Saturday’s FP3 when he closed the gap and finished fourth, just behind Leclerc. However, the improvement did not carry into Qualifying, leaving Hamilton and his fans disappointed.
Key Moments from Qualifying:
- Hamilton exited in Q2, finishing 12th overall.
- Charles Leclerc secured pole position for Ferrari.
- Hamilton described his session as a “big struggle.”
Raw Emotions: Hamilton’s Honest Self-Assessment
When interviewed by Sky Sports F1, Hamilton’s self-critical comments struck a chord with fans. He stated, “I’m useless, absolutely useless,” and further emphasized that Ferrari’s car was not at fault, given Leclerc’s performance. When pressed about his self-assessment, Hamilton doubled down, saying, “It clearly is. I drove terribly. It is what it is.”
Recent Form: A Pattern Emerges
Hamilton’s Q2 exit in Hungary follows a Q1 elimination at the previous Belgian Grand Prix, though he managed to recover in the race to finish seventh and earned Driver of the Day. These back-to-back qualifying disappointments highlight a tough period for Hamilton, despite Ferrari’s recent upgrades to the SF-25.
Team Perspective and Looking Ahead
Ferrari’s recent developments appear to be paying off for Leclerc, but Hamilton’s struggles have raised questions about his adaptation to the new updates. The team’s focus will undoubtedly be on supporting Hamilton to bounce back and maximize the car’s potential in upcoming races.
Conclusion
Lewis Hamilton’s frank admissions after a disappointing Hungarian GP qualifying highlight the intense pressures of Formula 1 at the highest level. As Ferrari continues to develop their car, all eyes will be on how Hamilton responds in the coming races and whether he can return to the front of the grid.
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