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Tom Kristensen shares what everyone in the F1 paddock is saying about Lewis Hamilton after Ferrari troubles

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Formula 1 over the last two decades has been defined by the success of several drivers, but none more so than Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso is the only driver still on the grid from when Lewis Hamilton made his debut back in 2007.

Alonso and Hamilton’s relationship was fiery during that season as teammates at McLaren, and they’ve enjoyed a rivalry ever since, albeit they haven’t gone head-to-head in a championship battle in the years that followed.

Hamilton has won seven drivers’ championships, but it’s become clear in the past few seasons that the current ground-effect era cars simply don’t suit his driving style.

George Russell got the better of him during his final year at Mercedes, and his move to Ferrari hasn’t worked out as planned.

Hamilton was privately pleased for Charles Leclerc after the most recent race in Hungary, but he won’t want his teammate to get the better of him next season when the sport’s regulations change once again.

There are already concerns about Ferrari’s 2026 car, which could end Hamilton’s chances of surpassing Michael Schumacher and becoming an eight-time world champion.

Not only that, but Le Mans record holder Tom Kristensen has shared what the mood is among those in the F1 paddock when it comes to Hamilton after a miserable weekend at the Hungaroring.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton at the 2025 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix
Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

People in the Formula 1 paddock ‘worry’ about Lewis Hamilton after the Hungarian Grand Prix

Kristensen was a guest on the F1 Nation Podcast as the sport entered its summer break.

During the weekend, Kristensen had been concerned watching Hamilton’s onboard footage, and when speaking about his gloomy demeanour with the press, he explained: “I mean, everyone wants him to come back to winning ways.

‘Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari, he’s struggling, and he was very hard on himself. But yes, he had his home race at Silverstone that didn’t go to plan. This season is tough for him.

“He goes to a circuit where he has eight wins, nine poles. And if he’s not winning, he’s definitely always on the podium, like last year.

RANKDRIVERTEAMPOINTS
1Lando NorrisMcLaren25
2Oscar PiastriMcLaren18
3George RussellMercedes15
4Charles LeclercFerrari12
5Fernando AlonsoAston Martin10
6Gabriel BortoletoSauber8
7Lance StrollAston Martin6
8Liam LawsonRacing Bulls4
9Max VerstappenRed Bull2
10Kimi AntonelliMercedes1

“So, it must be really hard, and to see Lewis lining up after the race in a queue at the Jo Bauer when he has to get weighed. He kept his helmet on. There were five or six drivers in front of him who had to get weighed before.

“I think he takes it hard on himself, and it’s tough to see. He’s really hard on himself.

“I have the deepest respect for people putting their hand up like that. And of course, a seven-time world champion doing that.

“But on the other hand, they don’t race on fuel, they race on self-confidence. So, to have it all there. I think it gets a little bit under his skin, unfortunately.

“I want to see him do well, and I hope he really finds his mojo. But people in the paddock, they worry about Lewis. He one hundred per cent has a contract for next year. Ferrari wants him to do well the most.”

READ MORE: Alex Jacques highlights what Lewis Hamilton’s critics are underestimating amid tough start at Ferrari

Jean Alesi left concerned by Lewis Hamilton statement at the Hungarian Grand Prix

Hamilton’s suggestion that Ferrari should ‘change drivers’ after he was eliminated from Q2 caught plenty of people’s attention.

Jean Alesi suggested Michael Schumacher would never mimic Hamilton’s assertion, even if he was struggling with his form.

Position Drivers' Championship Points
1

Oscar Piastri

284
2

Lando Norris

275
3

Max Verstappen

187
4

George Russell

172
5

Charles Leclerc

151
6

Lewis Hamilton

109
7

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

64
8

Alexander Albon

54
9

Nico Hulkenberg

37
10

Esteban Ocon

27

That negativity has seeped into some of his interviews in recent years, including last season when he insisted he couldn’t qualify well anymore.

It’s up to team principal Fred Vasseur to help Hamilton overcome this blip in his recent form.

Vasseur was upset with one question he was asked about Hamilton, highlighting how he’s still very much got the seven-time world champion’s back, even if recent results haven’t been going his way.