Story Highlight
– Hamilton expresses deep frustration after poor qualifying performance.
– Qualifying results placed him 12th, below expectations.
– He trails teammate Leclerc significantly in qualifying and races.
– Leclerc secures pole position, outperforming Hamilton decisively.
– Team principal tries to calm tensions amid struggles.
Full Story
Lewis Hamilton, renowned for his passionate demeanor, appeared particularly despondent following the qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Speaking to Sky Sports UK, he remarked, “It’s always down to me. I’m useless. The team isn’t the issue; the other car is on pole. The team might need to consider a driver change.” The 40-year-old driver finished in twelfth place, falling short of expectations yet again in a race against the clock.
Having made the switch to Ferrari later in his career, Hamilton aimed to fulfil a long-held ambition. However, his first 13 race weekends with the Scuderia have been largely disappointing. As he prepares for his 14th Grand Prix in red this Sunday at 15:00 BST, there are few signs that his fortunes will change.
Hamilton’s struggles are compounded by the fact that he is experiencing unparalleled challenges in comparison to his teammate. Over his 19-season Formula 1 career, he has never found himself trailing in qualifying against a teammate as he currently does against Charles Leclerc. With a current qualifying record of 5-9 and a race record of 3-10 in Leclerc’s favour, Hamilton finds himself in an unfamiliar position.
Leclerc, aged 27, has been increasingly dominant in the competition against the legendary driver. His securing pole position at the Hungaroring not only surprised his team but left him taken aback as well. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who had brought Hamilton to Maranello with a contract extending until the end of 2026, sought to calm any tensions. He pointed out that Hamilton was ahead of Leclerc at the start of qualifying, emphasising that Leclerc also faced challenges in reaching the crucial Q3 stage.
As the final qualifying segment unfolded, conditions shifted dramatically; the track cooled, and wind patterns changed. While the previously dominant McLaren drivers were unable to improve their times, Leclerc unexpectedly delivered the fastest lap of the session.
