Ferrari head honcho expects Merc's Lewis Hamilton to resurface following his disappointing performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton's 2025 Formula 1 season has been marked by a decline in performance, particularly when compared to his teammate, Charles Leclerc. This dip in form, which began upon his move from Mercedes to Ferrari, has seen the seven-time world champion grappling with new machinery and team dynamics.
At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton's struggles came to a head, finishing 12th and expressing frustration about issues within the team that he suggested were going on "in the background." His public criticism of his own performance, calling it "useless" and "unacceptable," was particularly harsh after poor qualifying sessions, such as being knocked out in Q1 at the Belgium GP and Q2 at Hungary.
Data shows that Leclerc has generally outperformed Hamilton this season, with the Monegasque driver outscoring Hamilton 151 to 109 points and having a faster qualifying pace (100.2% of Hamilton's average qualifying time). Although Hamilton had brief periods of competitiveness mid-season, his pace has notably dropped recently, raising concerns about his form and potential age-related declines in outright speed.
Team principal, Mattia Binotto, acknowledged the frustration felt by Hamilton and the team after the race, stating that he is frustrated but not demotivated. Binotto expressed confidence that Hamilton will return to form and defended the seven-time world champion, stating that his demands are a reason for his success.
Charles Leclerc, who experienced unexplained mechanical problems during the race, also expressed support for Hamilton, stating that he wants both of them and Ferrari to be successful. Leclerc believes Hamilton's poor performance this weekend was a one-off incident.
In the drivers' standings, Hamilton is currently in sixth place, having yet to secure a podium for Ferrari this year. At the Hungarian GP, Hamilton finished the race in the same position as his starting point, being one-tenth of a second off reaching Q3, according to Binotto.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton remains optimistic about the August holiday before the Dutch Grand Prix, looking forward to regrouping and returning to form. With the season's second half approaching, both Hamilton and Ferrari will be hoping for a more positive turn of events.
In the realm of sports-analysis, Lewis Hamilton's decline in performance has been a topic of discussion, particularly contrasted with his teammate, Charles Leclerc. This situation, exacerbated by technical challenges, has left cultural implications within Ferrari, as evidenced by Hamilton's public criticism.
As the season progresses and the second half approaches, sports enthusiasts will keenly observe if Hamilton, who remains optimistic about rebounding, can return to his sports dominance, a fundamental aspect of his culture.
