The seven-time world champion endured a difficult day at the Hungaroring, struggling to find pace and rhythm on a track he has historically dominated. The Hungaroring has been one of Hamilton’s most successful circuits, with eight career wins, but this weekend has proved to be a different challenge.
Lewis Hamilton’s Brutal Self-Critique After Tough Hungarian GP Qualifying originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Lewis Hamilton didn’t hold back on himself after a challenging qualifying session at the Hungarian GP, delivering one of his most brutally honest self-assessments in recent memory.
The seven-time world champion endured a difficult day at the Hungaroring, struggling to find pace and rhythm on a track he has historically dominated. After qualifying well outside the positions he expected, Hamilton’s frustration spilled over in his post-session comments.
“I’m just useless… I just drove terribly. It is what it is,” Hamilton admitted, visibly disappointed. “It’s me every time. I’m just useless. The team has no problem. The second car is on pole, so they probably just need to change driver," he further added. His words reflected the mounting pressure as he looks to end a long run without a podium — the longest drought of his illustrious career.
The Hungaroring has been one of Hamilton’s most successful circuits, with eight career wins, but this weekend has proved to be a different challenge. His Ferrari SF-25 lacked balance through the technical middle sector, and Hamilton struggled to maximize grip in the final corners, costing him crucial tenths.
Hamilton’s brutally honest remarks underline the tough phase he’s enduring in his first season away from Mercedes, with his switch to Ferrari next year looming large.
While he has typically maintained an optimistic outlook despite setbacks, Saturday’s comments show just how much the performance deficit stings.
“It’s me every time. I’m just useless. The team has no problem. The second car is on pole, so they probably just need to change driver.”
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) August 2, 2025
Distraught Lewis Hamilton after qualifying 💔
pic.twitter.com/AyjmBTnVBK
With overtaking notoriously difficult at the Hungaroring, Hamilton faces an uphill battle in Sunday’s race. He will rely on strategy and potential weather changes to make up positions and salvage points before Formula 1 heads into summer break.
For a driver who built his legacy on precision and consistency, Saturday’s session — and his raw self-critique — reveal the human side of an all-time great still searching for his next breakthrough moment.
Related: Lewis Hamilton’s Heartbreaking Radio After Q2 Elimination in Hungarian GP
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
