As the Formula One circus descends upon Budapest, all eyes turn to Lewis Hamilton, who returns to a circuit where he has historically dominated, yet now faces a stark reality check in his new Ferrari colours.

The Hungaroring holds a special place in Hamilton’s illustrious F1 career. He has claimed victory there an astounding eight times, securing pole position on a record nine occasions. His maiden win in his rookie season 18 years ago marked the first of 12 podium finishes at the track, where he also holds the fastest-ever lap record, set in 2020.

However, the prospect of Hamilton securing a ninth win at this cherished venue on Sunday appears increasingly improbable. This challenging outlook primarily stems from the current performance of his Ferrari machine, which has consistently fallen short of providing the seven-time world champion with a truly competitive platform for race victories.

Indeed, his debut season with the Scuderia has seen him frequently outpaced by teammate Charles Leclerc. In the 13 races completed so far, Leclerc has out-qualified Hamilton nine times and finished ahead of him on race-day in ten instances, painting a clear picture of the internal team dynamics.

Despite the considerable fanfare and the reported £60 million annual salary tied to Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari, his struggles relative to Leclerc have not been entirely unexpected. Leclerc, having been with Ferrari since 2019, is deeply entrenched within the team’s operational philosophy and car development.

This performance disparity is not entirely new for Hamilton. In his final season with Mercedes, he was consistently outperformed by George Russell, who qualified ahead in 19 of 24 Grand Prix and finished ahead in 14 races, excluding the Australian Grand Prix where both failed to finish.

Hamilton, at 40 years of age, finds himself competing against a burgeoning generation of Formula 1 talent. Drivers like the 28-year-old Charles Leclerc, George Russell (who turns 28 soon), Max Verstappen (also 28 this September), Lando Norris (not yet 26), and current championship leader Oscar Piastri (who was merely six when Hamilton first won in Hungary) are now the formidable forces in the sport, unburdened by the intimidation factor that once surrounded the British legend.

Despite only 13 races into his two-year Ferrari contract, Hamilton has already felt compelled to dismiss premature speculation regarding his retirement. Given his continued immense commercial appeal and his strong rapport with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, a sudden departure seems highly unlikely. He remains a pivotal figure in motorsport.

Nevertheless, a vintage performance at the Hungaroring, one of his most beloved circuits, would be a timely reminder of his enduring talent and a much-needed boost for both Hamilton and the Tifosi, reaffirming his status as a titan of racing despite the current challenges.