HUNGARORING, Hungary — Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing a disappointing 12th and branding himself “useless” after a frustrating qualifying session.
What happened in Hungary?
Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari after leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024, failed to make it out of Q2 in qualifying. He ultimately started and finished 12th — out of the points — while his teammate Charles Leclerc stunned the grid by securing pole.
“I drove terribly. I’m just useless,” Hamilton admitted in a post-qualifying interview.
“It’s nothing to do with the car.”
His comments sparked concern among fans, as the legendary driver continues to struggle adapting to Ferrari’s setup this season.
Leclerc finds form, Ferrari surges
While Hamilton struggled, Leclerc delivered an impressive lap under changing track conditions to edge out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for pole position. It was Ferrari’s first pole of the season — and a significant morale boost.
“It’s probably the most surprising pole I’ve ever done,” Leclerc said.
“I just managed to put it all together in Q3.”
Ferrari’s recent upgrades — especially the rear suspension and floor — are finally paying off. The car has become more balanced and competitive, at least in qualifying trim.
Hamilton’s Ferrari move under pressure
Since joining Ferrari, Hamilton has been outqualified by Leclerc 12 times in 17 races. His only major highlight remains the sprint race win in China. Hungary follows a poor showing in Belgium, where Hamilton was knocked out in Q1 twice.
Despite this, he congratulated his teammate with grace:
“It’s amazing for the team that the car is capable of being on pole. Big congrats to Charles.”
Can Ferrari convert pole to victory?
Although Leclerc starts from P1, McLaren’s strong race pace could pose a serious threat. Both Piastri and Norris have been consistent Sunday performers and are eyeing another win.
Leclerc knows the challenge ahead:
“It’s a good position to start from — but McLaren will be fast.”
Despite his legendary status, Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 season has been anything but smooth. As he pushes through the growing pains at Ferrari, fans are left wondering whether the F1 icon can reclaim his edge. With only a handful of races left, the pressure is mounting — but if history tells us anything, it’s never wise to count Hamilton out. His story isn’t over yet.
