Struggling Hamilton Reiterates His Commitment to F1 Despite Tough Ferrari Campaign
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Challenging Hungarian Grand Prix Weekend
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, maintained his love for racing in the wake of a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that underscored his underwhelming debut season with Ferrari. After a disappointing qualifying session that left him questioning his own performance and subtly suggesting the team might consider a change in drivers, Hamilton clarified his stance on Sunday, insisting he remains dedicated to the sport and his team.
The 40-year-old Briton qualified poorly in Budapest and continued to struggle during the race, eventually finishing 12th. Teammate Charles Leclerc, who brilliantly secured Ferrari’s first pole position of the season, also fell short of expectations, dropping to fourth place by the checkered flag. Addressing the media after the race, a disconsolate Hamilton reflected on his ongoing challenges.
“Not particularly, when you have a feeling you have a feeling, there’s a lot going on in the background… that’s not great,” Hamilton said when prompted to elaborate on his candid remarks from the previous day, during which he described himself as “useless.” Despite the struggles, Hamilton doubled down on his passion for the sport and his loyalty to Ferrari: "No, I still love it … I still love the team."
When asked if he would be back for the next round in Zandvoort on August 31 following the summer break, Hamilton replied: “I look forward to coming back … Hopefully I will be back, yeah.”
An Underwhelming Season for the Record-Holding Champion
The Hungarian Grand Prix marked another chapter in a turbulent season for Hamilton, who joined Ferrari amid much anticipation earlier this year. Despite the team's historic reputation, the partnership has yet to deliver the results fans and pundits expected. Other than a sprint race victory in China early in the season, Hamilton has struggled to find form, with a podium finish in a grand prix still eluding him.
At the Hungaroring, a track where Hamilton holds a record eight wins, the weekend was anything but celebratory. Standing apart from the majority of drivers during the pre-race parade, Hamilton’s struggles during the event were evident. By the end of the first lap, he’d fallen behind Carlos Sainz and Ferrari’s rookie driver, Kimi Antonelli, slipping to 14th place. Losing further time with each lap, he found himself 30 seconds adrift of Leclerc by Lap 14. Later, after a pit stop on Lap 43, he found himself a lap down and showcased only brief flashes of resilience, overtaking Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Ferrari stablemate Sainz to ultimately finish 12th.
The statistics paint a worrisome picture: Hamilton now sits 42 points behind Leclerc in the drivers' standings and has been consistently outqualified by his teammate, who has bested him in 10 of the 14 rounds so far. Victories have been scarce, with Hamilton triumphing over Leclerc in only two races this season—Imola and Silverstone.
Support from a Familiar Voice
While Hamilton has been his own harshest critic throughout the season, his former Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, stood firmly in his corner. Wolff, who oversaw Hamilton's six championship-winning years at Mercedes, attributed the Briton’s emotional openness to his character.
“That is Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve. It’s what he thought when he was asked after the session,” Wolff said. “It was very raw. He was down on himself. We had it in the past when he felt that he’d underperformed in his own expectations. He has been that emotionally transparent since he was a young adult.”
Wolff also lauded Hamilton’s career achievements and reminded the public to view the bigger picture. “He will beat himself up. But he’s the GOAT [greatest of all time] and will always be the GOAT. [Nothing] will take that away, no single weekend or race season which hasn’t gone to plan. That’s something he needs to always remember—that he’s the greatest of all time.”
Looking Ahead
As the Formula 1 paddock heads into the summer break, the question remains: can Lewis Hamilton rediscover his spark in the Ferrari red? While his past achievements are unparalleled, the task ahead is steep. The Dutch Grand Prix on August 31 marks Hamilton's next opportunity to turn things around and prove that even in the twilight of his career, the love for the sport and his relentless drive can light the way forward.
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