Lewis Hamilton had a ‘very different’ reaction to Charles Leclerc’s Hungary performance in Ferrari post-race debrief

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The Hungarian Grand Prix proved to be a far more underwhelming event than Ferrari or Lewis Hamilton expected.

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history at the Hungaroring.

Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are the second and third-most successful drivers at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

But even their seven combined wins can’t match Hamilton’s eight victories and nine pole positions at the circuit.

Unfortunately, his first visit as a Ferrari driver didn’t go to plan, and teammate Charles Leclerc was ultimately left disappointed as well.

Hamilton was asked if he still loved racing by the time the race weekend came to a close.

The seven-time world champion was so despondent during his media duties that it was clear he needed the summer break more than anyone.

It was his first point-less weekend of the season, but after the race, Leclerc was almost just as upset.

What looked like a guaranteed podium and potentially his first win of the year turned into a P4 finish as Leclerc suffered with car troubles during his final stint.

According to journalist Jon Noble, the Monegasque’s performance was the only thing that could cheer Hamilton up after the race.

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Lewis Hamilton was ‘delighted’ for Charles Leclerc after the Hungarian Grand Prix during Ferrari debrief

Noble was speaking about Hamilton’s demeanour on The Race F1 Podcast, and said: “So, when Lewis stepped out of the car on Saturday, he saw he’d been knocked out in Q2 in 12th, and Charles Leclerc is on pole position.

“And for someone as determined as Lewis, who’s kind of brutal with the team in terms of what he demands of people, is brutal in terms of how much he pushes himself, is brutal in terms of how much he kicks himself if things don’t go right, this is just what he felt at the time.

“This is different from the past. And I was told that in the driver’s briefing, an hour and a half later, Lewis was perfectly normal, delighted for Charles when he came in. It’s a very different scenario.

“Pre-COVID, we used to speak to Lewis when he was at Mercedes. They would do the session after the debrief when they’ve got more information, much more considered. They’ve taken everything in.

“And I think if on Saturday, rather than Lewis doing his TV, written media, and that was it, that’s all we heard from him. If he’d had the debrief and then spoken to us, I think the perception would have been very different.

“I don’t see it as the disaster that these comments made it suggest. And this is just Lewis; he wears his heart on his sleeve.

“And he was the same tonight, disappointing race because he couldn’t make any progress, was very down and despondent. But this is just the nature of who Lewis Hamilton is.”

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Lewis Hamilton publicly praised Charles Leclerc at the Hungarian GP in reversed roles from Silverstone

Although Ferrari still haven’t won a Grand Prix this season, their drivers have always had each other’s backs.

Leclerc sang Hamilton’s praises after the British Grand Prix when he narrowly missed out on a podium finish to Nico Hulkenberg.

The Monegasque driver had a disastrous race, but the 40-year-old scored the necessary points to keep Ferrari second in the constructors’ championship.

After the race in Hungary, Hamilton reserved praise for Leclerc, even if he couldn’t find anything positive to say about himself.

Whether the two Ferrari drivers would be this complimentary if they were fighting for a championship is yet to be seen.

But for now, team principal Fred Vasseur will be glad his two drivers are getting along, even if they’re not delivering the results they would like.