Lewis Hamilton warned Ferrari about the biggest problem they’d have while he was still a Mercedes driver

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Lewis Hamilton was filled with despair during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Teammate Charles Leclerc fought for victory while he missed out on the top 10.

For the third straight qualifying session (including the Spa Sprint), Hamilton was eliminated. Despite attempting an alternative one-stop strategy, he didn’t make any progress in the race – started P12, finished P12.

Speaking after qualifying, Hamilton called himself ‘useless’ and suggested that Ferrari should replace him. It was one of the most remarkable interviews in his 18-year F1 career.

There had been signs that the Englishman was making progress. Between the Emilia Romagna GP and his home race at Silverstone, Hamilton was in the top six in 11 straight sessions – not spectacular, but consistently solid.

But two desperate races before the summer break have shattered the optimism. Hamilton is facing a first-ever season without a podium unless he can turn things around, and is questioning whether he has any hope of a record-breaking eighth title.

Lewis Hamilton told Ferrari he wasn’t ‘fast anymore’ – maybe he was right

Hamilton’s comments on Saturday were dramatic, but he’s publicly questioned his own abilities numerous times of late. After Sprint qualifying at the Qatar GP last November, when he qualified five spots below Mercedes teammate George Russell in seventh, he said he’d lost his speed.

“I’m just slow,” he said. “Same every weekend. The car felt relatively decent. No issues. Not really much more to say. I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

This, ultimately, has been Hamilton’s biggest problem in 2025. The car is clearly difficult to drive and fundamentally flawed – the drivers have been repeatedly asked to lift and coast to preserve the underbody – but the very best can navigate such issues.

Indeed, Charles Leclerc has outscored Hamilton by 32 points and notched five podiums, as well as his Budapest pole. He leads the head-to-head 24-8 when both are classified.

Hamilton might be more comfortable in the next generation of cars from 2026. But it’s also possible that, at the age of 40, he’s simply in decline.

The realisation Lewis Hamilton has finally made about Ferrari

After crossing the line at the Hungaroring and pulling into parc ferme, Hamilton was ‘motionless’ for over a minute. That may be reflective of his current state of mind.

It’s clear that his confidence is brittle, and that’s where his long-standing relationship with Fred Vasseur will be key. Even if he’s stronger next year, he must be able to respond to the setbacks he’ll inevitably face.

Jacques Villeneuve reckons that Hamilton is realising that Ferrari are unique in their way of working. He’s spent his entire career with predominantly British teams.

Hamilton said he felt ‘reinvigorated’ before his debut season, but he now looks as far from the top as ever. With each disappointing result, it appears less and less likely that he’ll return.