BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – AUGUST 3, 2025: The starkly contrasting scenes in the Ferrari garage after Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying told a story of Formula 1’s brutal highs and lows. While Charles Leclerc celebrated a shock pole position, a shattered Lewis Hamilton faced the media, delivering a devastating self-assessment: “I’m useless, absolutely useless… The team has no problem. You’ve seen the car is on pole. So they probably need to change driver.“
This raw, vulnerable moment from the seven-time world champion, coming after he qualified a dismal 12th while his teammate conquered the top spot, plunged his challenging debut Ferrari season to a new low just before the summer break.
Hamilton’s Anguish: “It’s Me Every Time”
The frustration had been building. Over team radio after being knocked out in Q2, Hamilton could be heard lamenting, “every time, every time.” When pressed by Sky Sports F1, his despair was palpable:
- “Oh, it’s me every time.”
- “I drove terribly. It is what it is.”
- “Nothing to do with the car.”
Hamilton missed the cut for Q3 by a mere 0.015 seconds – a margin thinner than a bank note. His lap time of 1:15.702 in Q2 was a significant 0.812 seconds slower than the session-topping time set by Lando Norris and crucially, 0.247 seconds adrift of Leclerc’s pace in that same segment. For a driver holding the record of nine pole positions at the Hungaroring, this result was a bitter pill. It marked his third early qualifying exit in two weekends, following a double Q1 elimination in Belgium.
Leclerc’s Stunning Pole: Ferrari’s Silver Lining
Hamilton’s personal agony unfolded against the backdrop of a remarkable achievement for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, who had openly discussed his historical struggles at the Hungaroring, delivered a sensational lap in the cooling, shifting conditions of Q3 (1:15.372) to snatch pole from the dominant McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
“It is probably the most surprising pole position I have ever done,” a delighted Leclerc admitted, crediting recent upgrades, particularly a new rear suspension introduced in Belgium, for improving the car’s predictability when pushing to the absolute limit.
- Watch Leclerc’s Pole Lap: F1 TV Highlights – Hungarian GP Qualifying
Despite his own devastation, Hamilton acknowledged his teammate’s feat: “It’s amazing for the team, clearly the car is capable of being on pole. So big congrats to Charles.”
Vasseur’s Defense: Small Margins, Not Driver Failure
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur swiftly countered Hamilton’s self-flagellation. While understanding the frustration, Vasseur pinpointed the razor-thin margins and specific session challenges, not driver deficiency, as the cause.
- The Crucial Out-Lap: “We know that the out lap is crucial,” Vasseur explained. “If you overheat the tyres in Turn 1, you risk trouble at the end of the lap… Lewis missed it by a few hundredths… managing the out lap is always tough.”
- Tyre Window Struggles: He highlighted Ferrari’s ongoing battle to get tyres into the optimal operating window, a struggle evident as both cars flirted with Q2 elimination. Leclerc himself only narrowly progressed.
- Learning Opportunity: “It’s a shame. We have to learn from this… Charles was not far away to be out in Q2… you need to keep this in mind,” Vasseur stated, emphasizing the team’s collective responsibility.
The Weight of a Difficult Season
Hamilton’s outburst isn’t isolated frustration. His maiden Ferrari campaign has been far from the fairytale many envisioned:
- 0 Grand Prix Podiums: After 13 races, Hamilton is yet to finish in the top three on a Sunday. His best results are fourth places (Emilia Romagna, Austria, Britain).
- Qualifying Deficit: Leclerc now leads their qualifying head-to-head 12-5, with an average gap of 0.146 seconds.
- Championship Position: Hamilton sits 6th in the standings with 109 points, 30 points behind Leclerc (5th) and a distant 157 points behind leader Oscar Piastri.
- Emotional Toll: Earlier in the weekend, Hamilton foreshadowed the emotional strain: “There’ll be some tears… it’s been a real battle,” anticipating the summer break.
What Next? Race Day and Reflection
As the grid forms for the Hungarian Grand Prix today (August 3rd, 14:00 BST), the contrasts remain stark:
- Leclerc’s Challenge: Starting P1, but faces the formidable race pace of the McLarens. Rain forecast could be a wildcard.
- Hamilton’s Mountain: Starting P12 on a notoriously difficult track for overtaking. When asked if rain could help, he replied bleakly: “I don’t think anything can help me right now.” However, his remarkable recovery from the pit lane to P7 in Belgium last week shows his fighting spirit remains.
- Follow Live Timing: Official F1 Live Timing (External Link)
Verstappen’s Unexpected Support
Even rival Max Verstappen offered perspective. While also frustrated with his own Red Bull’s performance (qualifying 8th), he defended Hamilton: “Lewis is still a bit further down the road which, I think, he shouldn’t be there right? So, he will come through a bit.”