In a sport where every tenth of a second matters, Formula 1 drivers are often their own worst critics.
Lewis Hamilton offers brutal assessment in Hungary: ‘I’m useless, absolutely useless’
After failing to reach Q3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton was his own harshest critic
Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
That was certainly the case for a seven-time champion Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
It was a tale of two qualifying sessions for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc shocked the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to take pole position, but Lewis Hamilton failed to advance to the final segment of qualifying as he was eliminated in Q2.
Speaking with Sky Sports F1 after the session, Hamilton blasted ... himself.
“It’s me every time,” began Hamilton. “I’m useless, absolutely useless. “The team have no problem. You’ve seen the car’s on pole.
“So they probably need to change driver[s].”
Hamilton’s harsh self-evaluation comes as the 2025 F1 season approaches the summer shutdown, and in the middle of his first season with Ferrari. While there have certainly been bright spots — a win in the F1 Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix stands out — Hamilton has yet to deliver a podium, let alone a win, in a grand prix.
What also probably stunned the living legend was an elimination at the Hungaroring, a track where Hamilton has secured a record nine pole positions. That includes a surprise pole for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, the last time he qualified up front for a grand prix.
Hamilton faced another tough Saturday a week ago at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he was knocked out in Q1 and started from pit lane. However, he made the most of wet conditions and charged through the field, finishing tenth.
Despite his frustrations on Saturday, he is still capable of a drive like that on Sunday.
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