Lewis Hamilton’s raw, public self-critique after a testing Hungarian weekend “I’m absolutely useless” cut through the usual driver-speak at the Hungaroring and put a spotlight on a streak of poor form that has left fans and pundits asking how one of Formula 1’s greatest ever drivers has found himself struggling in 2025. This piece unpacks the immediate issue in Hungary, traces the run of recent races, looks at the numbers, and tries to humanize what’s happening behind the visor. Formula 1
A weekend to forget: qualifying and race in Hungary
Hamilton’s frustration boiled over after he failed to advance beyond Q2 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, describing his own performance as “absolutely useless” and even suggesting in the heat of the moment that Ferrari might “probably need to change driver.” That blunt assessment landed after Charles Leclerc took pole for the team while Hamilton limped out of qualifying in 12th and could not climb back through the order on Sunday, finishing outside the points in 12th (one lap down). Those results unthinkable not long ago were widely reported across the paddock and press. Formula 1
The statistics are stark: Hamilton’s qualifying exit in Q2 and the 12th-place finish at the Hungaroring represent one of the more difficult weekends of his long career. Formula1’s official race records show the finishing order and confirm Hamilton’s position as 12th in the Hungarian Grand Prix classification. Formula 1
Not an isolated incident
Hamilton’s weekend-by-week consistency qualifying pace, tire management, and racecraft execution has been patchy, and it’s compounded by occasionally uncooperative track characteristics and set-up choices that have not played to his strengths.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Ferrari Campaign (so far)
| Metric | 2025 – Ferrari |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix Entries | 13 |
| Average Race Finish | Approximately 6.08th |
| Best Finish | 4th (multiple races) |
| Top-10 Finishes (GP) | 12 out of 13 |
| Wins (GP) | 0 |
| Podiums (GP) | 0 |
| Sprint Wins | 1 |
| Sprint Podiums | 2 |
| Driver Championship Position | 6th (109 points) |
Source: Formula 1
Why Is He Struggling? Three Key Factors
1. Setup & Car Balance: The current car demands precision. Without perfect balance, even elite drivers feel off. It seems Ferrari’s setup window may lean more toward Leclerc’s driving style.
2. Confidence & Momentum: Racing is mental. Small missteps erode confidence, making it harder to push. Hamilton sounded disappointed with himself clearly, pressure is building.
3. Team Synergy: Adapting to Ferrari’s development path alongside Leclerc may have created slight disconnects in setup and feedback, impacting Hamilton’s consistency.
Source: Reuters
Recent Race Snapshot
- Hungary GP: Out in Q2, finished P12 (one lap down). Formula 1
- Previous Rounds: Across circuits like (for example) Barcelona and Monaco this season, Hamilton has experienced mixed results and has often finished behind both teammates and rival leaders an inconsistency that has shown up in timing screens and analyst write-ups. The trend leading into Hungary made the shock of his comments less surprising. Motorsport
Pressure, Identity and Expectations
It’s easy to reduce Hamilton’s comment to a headline, but behind it sits the pressure of identity. Hamilton isn’t a driver looking for validation, he’s the benchmark for a generation but that very identity brings an intolerant standard. When he says “useless,” he is expressing the shock of not meeting his internal metric, and that anguish resonates because fans expect greatness, not ordinary mistakes. The emotional honesty is rare in a media-trained sport and shows how much this season’s struggles are getting under his skin.
Where does he go from here?
Two things can help – time and clarity. The short break after Hungary gives Hamilton space to reset, while Ferrari can fine-tune balance and aero during the summer shutdown. Focused testing, small qualifying gains, and consistent setups could rebuild confidence. Supporters like Toto Wolff remind everyone: form is cyclical, and upgrades can quickly change the game.
A Champion’s Low Point Can Be The Beginning of a Comeback
Champions are defined by how they respond, not by a single hard weekend. For seven-time world champion and one of the best drivers in Formula 1 history. Hamilton’s words were uncomfortable, but they were also honest, a psychological reset that can lead to fierce, focused improvement. If Ferrari and Hamilton can translate that emotion into targeted technical solutions and regained self-belief, the story could flip fast. For now, the paddock watches, pundits speculate, and fans hope that the Hamilton we’ve known ruthless, resilient, relentless will find his form again.
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Annsly Raena 
Sagnik Banerjee