Breaking Point: Hamilton's 'Useless' Comments Reveal Ferrari Frustration
Lewis Hamilton's brutally honest self-assessment following the Hungarian Grand Prix exposes the depth of his struggles adapting to life at Ferrari.
Wiktor Forsström
F1 Journalist
The Hungarian Grand Prix provided a stark reminder of Lewis Hamilton's challenging 2025 season when the seven-time world champion delivered a brutally honest assessment of his performance that shocked the Formula 1 world. The final moment on our list came just before the summer break, when 2025 Ferrari signing Hamilton responded to a disappointing Q2 exit at the Hungaroring – a week on from his Q1 elimination in Belgium – with some particularly self-critical remarks.
Moment of Raw Honesty
Hamilton's post-qualifying comments after being eliminated in Q2 while teammate Charles Leclerc secured pole position revealed the depth of his frustration. "I'm useless, absolutely useless," he sighed to broadcasters, after team mate Charles Leclerc grabbed pole position. "The team, they have no problem – you've seen the car is on pole. So, they probably need to change driver."
The remarks represented a moment of unguarded emotion from a driver renowned for his mental strength and resilience throughout his career. For a seven-time world champion to question his own abilities so publicly highlighted the magnitude of his current struggles.
Defending the Indefensible
When challenged about his harsh self-assessment, Hamilton doubled down on his criticism. Put to Hamilton that his "useless" self-assessment cannot be the case, given an F1 CV that features a record-equalling seven world titles and more poles and wins than anyone else, he replied: "It clearly is. I drove terribly."
This level of self-criticism from one of Formula 1's most accomplished drivers sent shockwaves through the paddock and raised questions about his confidence and adaptation to Ferrari.
Race Day Disappointment
Hamilton's qualifying struggles translated into race day difficulties, with the British driver finishing where he started. Hamilton finished where he started on race day, crossing the line in a lapped 12th place, after which the Briton doubled down on his frustrations and commented that he was "looking forward to going away" for the summer.
The result represented Hamilton's worst classified finish of the 2025 season and served as a low point in what has been a challenging adaptation period at Ferrari.
Team Principal's Perspective
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur attempted to provide context for Hamilton's emotional state, attributing the comments to understandable frustration. Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com after the race in Hungary, Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal, put Hamilton's comments down to frustration following another challenging weekend.
Vasseur emphasized that Hamilton's commitment and work ethic remain exemplary despite the public expression of frustration.
Summer Break Reflection
Hamilton's comments about looking forward to the summer break suggested he welcomed the opportunity to reset mentally and physically. The break provides time for reflection and potentially some perspective on the challenges he's facing.
For Ferrari, the summer shutdown offers an opportunity to analyze Hamilton's feedback and potentially make adjustments to help their star signing feel more comfortable with the car and team environment.
Historical Context
Hamilton's public self-criticism recalls similar moments from other champion drivers who have struggled with major career changes. The psychological impact of moving teams, particularly after long periods of stability, can be more significant than initially anticipated.
The situation also highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with high-profile transfers in Formula 1, where every performance is analyzed and compared to previous achievements.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenging first half of the season, both Hamilton and Ferrari remain committed to their partnership. The summer break provides an opportunity for reset and refocus, with the ultimate goal of turning potential into performance during the season's second half.
Hamilton's career demonstrates remarkable resilience and adaptability, suggesting that this difficult period may ultimately strengthen both driver and team for future challenges.