Hungarian Grand Prix 2025 – Driver Performance Log
Driver: Lewis Hamilton
Team: Ferrari
Race Weekend: Hungarian GP, Hungaroring (August 2025)
Pre-Weekend Build-Up
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend began under a cloud of pressure for Lewis Hamilton. Entering the round at the Hungaroring, the seven-time world champion had already voiced his dissatisfaction with recent performances and form. On Saturday, after an early elimination in Q2 during qualifying, Hamilton described himself in unusually harsh terms, calling his display “useless.” He even went so far as to hint that Ferrari might need to consider finding a replacement driver in the near future. These remarks raised eyebrows in the paddock, sparking debate about his state of mind, commitment, and whether his frustrations had begun to outweigh his motivation.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, however, moved quickly to defend his star signing. Speaking to the media, Vasseur insisted Hamilton was not demotivated but rather highly frustrated by his current struggles in adjusting to Ferrari machinery and circumstances that haven’t always favored him. According to Vasseur, the seven-time champion’s words reflected disappointment rather than disengagement.
Qualifying (Saturday)
Hamilton’s issues were highlighted again during qualifying. The Hungaroring’s demanding, technical nature exposed Ferrari’s inconsistency, and Hamilton found himself out of rhythm when it mattered most. A lack of grip combined with setup challenges resulted in his exit in Q2. The outcome placed him deep in the starting grid, significantly limiting his prospects for Sunday’s race.
His teammate, Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, delivered a stellar qualifying session, managing to put the Ferrari on pole position. That achievement provided a glimpse of what was possible with the car but also underscored the growing gulf between the two Ferrari drivers’ weekend performances.
Race Day (Sunday)
Hamilton lined up outside the top 10 for the Hungarian GP and needed a strong start to mount any chance of recovery. However, the opening laps proved problematic. Instead of gaining ground, Hamilton lost positions at the start, leaving him stuck in traffic and on the back foot early.
The seven-time champion worked hard to recover but found progress limited. Ferrari’s strategy left him in long stints battling with midfield traffic, and while Hamilton eventually regained positions lost in the opening exchanges, his pace wasn’t sufficient to crack into the top 10. After 70 laps, Hamilton crossed the line in 12th – exactly where he had started. It was a stagnant result, emblematic of a race in which nothing came together as planned.
An additional flashpoint came in the form of an on-track incident with Max Verstappen, his long-time rival. The two briefly clashed, drawing attention from race stewards. Ultimately, Verstappen escaped further penalty, but the exchange provided yet another reminder of the competitive fire that still burns between the two champions.
Team & Race Context
Elsewhere in the Ferrari garage, Charles Leclerc endured his own difficulties. Despite starting from pole, the Monegasque driver slipped down the order due to a chassis issue that compromised his pace. He eventually salvaged fourth, but what could have been a victory opportunity instead slipped through Ferrari’s grasp.
At the front, McLaren’s Lando Norris executed a superb one-stop strategy to secure victory, ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri in second. Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the podium in third.
Post-Race Reflections
Following the race, Hamilton admitted he has “a lot going on in the background” but stopped short of going into specifics. He acknowledged the challenges he is facing and expressed hope that he will “hopefully” return in better shape for the Dutch GP at Zandvoort (August 29-31). The tone was more measured than his explosive remarks after qualifying, though his sense of frustration remained clear.
Hamilton’s comments leave his immediate future under the spotlight, though Ferrari’s leadership insists his focus remains intact. The Hungarian weekend, however, marked another chapter in what has become an increasingly difficult season for the British driver in red.
Summary:
Hamilton qualified poorly (Q2 exit, starting 12th).
Called himself “useless” on Saturday, hinted Ferrari should consider a replacement.
Ferrari boss Vasseur defended him, saying frustration ≠ lack of motivation.
Lost positions at the start, finished 12th – no net progress.
Clashed with Verstappen, no penalty for Dutchman.
Leclerc started on pole but faded to 4th with chassis issue.
McLaren 1–2 finish with Norris leading.
Hamilton says he has “a lot going on in the background,” targeting return at Dutch GP.