Struggling Hamilton and Ferrari meet with setbacks after victorious soaring
In a dramatic turn of events at the Hungarian Grand Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced challenges that left them short of their expected results.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, struggled significantly during the race, qualifying in 12th position and finishing off the podium. His poor form was a source of frustration for the British driver, who admitted to driving terribly and emphasized that his performance issues were not due to the car but himself. Hamilton's disappointing performance has left him 42 points behind Leclerc in the drivers' standings, reflecting their form gap this season.
On the other hand, Charles Leclerc secured pole position at the Hungaroring, a notable achievement given his reservations about this track. However, a mysterious chassis issue caused his car to drop off in pace, forcing him to fall back and finish fourth after an intense battle with George Russell. Leclerc expressed his disappointment about losing a potential podium, but softened his criticisms post-race, indicating the problem may have been a one-off.
The team will investigate the chassis issue to prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, Leclerc remains a strong championship contender, despite failing to convert pole into victory for the 15th time in 16 attempts.
Elsewhere on the track, Fernando Alonso, aged 44, finished a season's best fifth for Aston Martin despite a back muscle injury.
Hamilton's spectacular marquee signing for Ferrari has turned into a challenging season, with the British driver outqualified and outraced by Leclerc the majority of the season and yet to secure a Grand Prix podium in 2025. Hamilton has expressed feelings of being "completely useless" to the team and appeared unsure about his love for racing.
Despite these challenges, both Hamilton and Leclerc remain determined to turn their seasons around. The team will look to make adjustments and improve their performance ahead of the next race.
Sports enthusiasts were left disappointed by the performance of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Despite securing pole position, Leclerc faced a chassis issue that prevented him from converting it into victory, while Hamilton struggled significantly and failed to secure a podium finish. Their form gaps have become increasingly apparent in the drivers' standings, with Leclerc maintaining a strong contention for the championship.
