Ferrari Reacts to Lewis Hamilton’s F1 Future After Hungary

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget at the Hungarian Grand Prix, as a poor qualifying performance and an underwhelming race left him disappointed and emotionally drained.

After failing to progress past Q2, Hamilton qualified in 12th place, a far cry from the front of the grid. In a rare and emotional moment, Hamilton didn’t hold back on his self-criticism, calling himself “absolutely useless” and sarcastically suggesting that Ferrari “will need to change driver,” since teammate Charles Leclerc had just secured pole position in the exact same car.

Hamilton’s harsh comments created a stir across the paddock, sparking speculation about internal team dynamics, his future at Ferrari, and his mental state after a difficult stretch in the 2025 season.

Vasseur Defends Hamilton’s Standards and Emotional Honesty

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur responded to Hamilton’s comments, stating that while the British driver is “demanding,” that trait is precisely what makes him a champion. Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, Vasseur showed empathy and understanding toward Hamilton’s disappointment.

“He is demanding with the team, with the car, with the engineers, with the mechanics, and with me—but first of all, he’s demanding with himself,” Vasseur explained. “That’s part of being a world-class driver.”

Vasseur emphasized that emotions run high in Formula 1, especially when a driver of Hamilton’s caliber underperforms compared to his teammate. Leclerc taking pole while Hamilton was eliminated in Q2 naturally created tension, but Vasseur warned against making knee-jerk judgments.

He explained that in Q1, Hamilton was actually faster than Leclerc, and in Q2, the gap between the two drivers was just over a tenth of a second. Vasseur insisted the difference was marginal and easily influenced by small variables such as traffic, tire prep, or track evolution.

Tight Margins in Qualifying: A Game of Inches

Vasseur went on to explain that qualifying was extremely close across the board, and it wasn’t just Ferrari that found themselves on the edge.

“Even Max Verstappen was almost out in Q2,” Vasseur noted, referencing a conversation he had with Laurent Mekies, Red Bull’s team principal. “It’s so tight now that being just a tenth slower can knock you out, and that doesn’t mean you’re not competitive.”

According to Vasseur, qualifying sessions in 2025 have become unforgiving, with track evolution and timing playing a critical role. “Sometimes you’re unlucky. Charles made it through and got pole. Lewis just missed out. That’s racing.”

He added that it’s important not to overreact or let a single poor result overshadow the bigger picture. Ferrari still believes strongly in Hamilton’s ability to perform.

Ferrari’s Strategy Gamble Failed in the Race

The disappointment didn’t end in qualifying. On race day, Ferrari took a strategic gamble by putting Hamilton on hard tires from the start. The plan backfired.

Hamilton became stuck in a DRS train, a line of cars using the Drag Reduction System that makes overtaking extremely difficult when all cars are receiving similar speed boosts. As a result, Hamilton made little progress and eventually crossed the finish line in 12th place, scoring no points.

Vasseur acknowledged the strategy didn’t work out but pointed out that Hamilton’s pace in clean air was strong. The car had speed—it was just a matter of track position and traffic.

“When he was out of the train and had clean air, his pace was very good,” Vasseur said. “It was a difficult race, but not a hopeless one.”

Hamilton and Verstappen Tussle Briefly in the Midfield

Adding to the spectacle, Hamilton found himself battling Max Verstappen during the race — a rare sight considering these two are usually fighting for podiums, not 11th place. Their rivalry, which peaked during their dramatic 2021 title battle, briefly flared again as they jostled for position.

Though the fight didn’t change the outcome of the race, it was a reminder of the fire and competitiveness both drivers still possess, even when fighting outside the top 10.

Recent Form Suggests Hamilton Can Still Deliver

Despite the rough Hungarian weekend, Vasseur was quick to remind everyone of Hamilton’s recent form in the 2025 season. In several recent races—including Spain, Austria, Silverstone, and Miami—Hamilton had been extremely competitive, often matching or beating Leclerc.

He also mentioned the Belgian Grand Prix, where Hamilton was six-tenths faster than Leclerc during one qualifying lap before losing the car at Turn 14 and failing to complete the lap.

“Of course, in racing, you have to finish the lap. But his raw pace is still there,” Vasseur said. “You can’t just judge someone on one mistake.”

The Ferrari boss explained that championship-level drivers go through ups and downs, and drawing quick conclusions from one poor weekend isn’t productive. “You can lead the race for 40 laps, but if you don’t finish, it doesn’t matter. That’s why we look at the whole picture.”

Ferrari Believes in Hamilton’s Comeback at Zandvoort

Looking ahead to the next race in Zandvoort, Netherlands, Vasseur expressed confidence that Hamilton would bounce back.

“He’s a seven-time champion for a reason. He will come back stronger,” Vasseur said.

The Dutch Grand Prix presents a new challenge, and with Ferrari expected to bring minor upgrades and tweak their tire strategy, the team is hoping for a turnaround—especially if Hamilton can avoid traffic and regain the form he showed earlier in the season.

One Bad Weekend Doesn’t Define a Champion

Hamilton’s brutal self-assessment and Ferrari’s failed strategy made for a disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix, but the team’s leadership remains supportive. Fred Vasseur understands the pressure Hamilton is under, especially when Leclerc excels in the same machinery. But he also knows Hamilton’s value—not just in terms of results, but in setting a high bar for the entire team.

Qualifying margins were razor-thin, strategy calls didn’t pan out, and emotions ran high — all part of the ever-intense world of Formula 1. What’s clear, however, is that Hamilton hasn’t lost his edge, and Ferrari hasn’t lost faith in him.

With the next race fast approaching, all eyes will be on Zandvoort to see if Hamilton can silence the doubts and put Ferrari back in the fight.

Expanded Race Weekend Summary

The Information is Collected from The Mirror and Newsweek.