In a candid and revealing moment after a challenging qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton expressed profound disappointment, publicly labeling himself “absolutely useless.” This stark self-assessment followed his P12 finish, a stark contrast to his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who secured pole position, highlighting the ongoing struggles for the British driver in his inaugural season with the Scuderia.
Hamilton’s admission underscores a difficult period, as he qualified outside the top 10 for the second consecutive race, marking a new low point in what has been a demanding transition to his new team. His performance disparity with Leclerc has become a focal point, with the team’s car demonstrating clear potential, evidenced by Leclerc’s pace, raising questions about Hamilton’s adaptation and form.
The emotional declaration of being “useless” was initially conveyed to British broadcaster Sky Sports, where Hamilton emphasized that the team’s machinery was not at fault. He pointed directly to Leclerc’s pole position as proof of the car’s capability, suggesting, with evident frustration, that “they probably need to change driver” – a remark that immediately sent ripples through the Formula 1 community.
Further insight into his mindset emerged from radio communications during the qualifying session, where Hamilton repeatedly exclaimed “every time, every time” after being eliminated. He later clarified to Sky that this lament was directed solely at his own performance, stating “it’s me every time,” reinforcing his personal accountability for the P12 outcome at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Despite his public frustration, Hamilton’s official statement in the Ferrari report adopted a more composed tone. He acknowledged the “massively disappointing day” and conceded that being “on the wrong side of a tenth” cost him dearly. Congratulating Leclerc and the team, he highlighted how “things align” for successful runs and affirmed his commitment to extensive work to overcome his current F1 driver performance hurdles.
Adding to the sequence of unfortunate events, Hamilton was initially set for 13th place but gained a spot to P12 only after Kimi Antonelli’s lap time was deleted due to exceeding track limits. This incident, coupled with his 18th place start in the Belgium sprint race and 16th for the Grand Prix last week due to a spin and deleted lap time, illustrates a pattern of qualifying woes for the veteran driver.
Since his high-profile move from Mercedes last year, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in a Formula 1 Grand Prix for Ferrari, with his best result remaining a fourth-place. While he did achieve a victory in the China sprint race in March, both he and Leclerc were subsequently disqualified from the main Chinese Grand Prix, prompting significant re-evaluation of Ferrari’s race setups and contributing to a challenging start to the season.
In contrast to Hamilton’s struggles, Charles Leclerc currently holds fifth position in the Drivers’ Championship, just one spot ahead of Hamilton, and has achieved five podium finishes in 2025. Leclerc’s consistent performance underscores the potential of the Ferrari car, and he aims to secure the team’s first F1 win since October in the upcoming Sunday race, providing a stark contrast to Hamilton’s recent form.
Recognizing the critical juncture of his season, Hamilton recently termed it “crunch time.” He has been engaged in a series of crucial meetings with Ferrari executives, aiming to discuss improvements and secure greater influence over the development of the car, particularly in anticipation of the sweeping regulatory changes scheduled for 2026, as he seeks to enhance his F1 driver performance for future seasons.
