Ferrari has issued an official response following Lewis Hamilton’s startling self-criticism after a dismal qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion endured another disappointing Saturday, exiting in Q2 and setting himself up for a challenging race day, starting from 12th on the grid.
Hamilton, visibly frustrated, admitted full responsibility for the poor performance, describing himself as “useless” and even suggesting Ferrari should “replace” him. Despite his candid remarks, the veteran driver’s struggles in qualifying have been a recurring theme this season, contrasting sharply with his stronger race-day showings. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc delivered a sensational lap to seize pole position ahead of McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, reinforcing the competitive gap within Ferrari’s own garage.
Hamilton’s outburst came during an interview with Sky Sports F1, where he declared, “It’s just me every time. I’m useless. Absolutely useless. The team have no problems—you can see the car is on pole. So they probably need to change driver.” His comments have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, given Ferrari’s mixed fortunes this season against McLaren and Red Bull.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, however, struck a composed tone in response. Speaking before and after qualifying, Vasseur emphasized that the setback was not solely down to Hamilton’s ability, pointing instead to execution during the out lap. “We know the out lap is crucial,” he noted. “Lewis was only a few hundredths away from progressing, and these margins are always difficult to manage. Of course, he’s frustrated, but it’s something we have to learn from collectively.”
Despite Hamilton’s harsh self-assessment, Vasseur underlined confidence in the Briton, reminding observers of his recent strong race performances, including seventh at Spa and fourth at Silverstone. While Hungary belonged to Leclerc, the Ferrari boss dismissed any talk of drastic measures, framing the incident as a learning opportunity rather than a crisis. The Scuderia now turns its focus to converting pole position into a vital victory on Sunday, with Hamilton determined to silence critics when it counts.
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