Hamilton Calls Himself “Useless” After Disappointing Qualifying

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration following a disappointing qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he secured a 12th-place start. The seven-time world champion described himself as “absolutely useless” after narrowly missing the cut for the final qualifying segment by just 0.015 seconds. Hamilton’s struggles were starkly contrasted by his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, who shocked many by clinching pole position ahead of the dominant McLaren team.

As Hamilton returned to the pits, he communicated his disappointment to his team via radio, stating, “every time, every time.” When questioned by Sky Sports about his comments, he reflected, “It’s just me every time,” further emphasizing his frustration with his performance. “I am useless. Absolutely useless,” he reiterated.

Despite the setbacks, Hamilton pointed out that Ferrari appeared to be performing well, particularly with Leclerc’s strong showing. “The team has no problem,” he noted. “You can see the car is on pole. They probably need to change driver.” This remark highlights Hamilton’s struggles to adapt to his new team since his winter switch from Mercedes.

Season of Struggles for Hamilton

This qualifying result marks Hamilton’s third consecutive disappointing session, following challenges in sprint qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix and the initial session of that race. His performance reflects a challenging first half of the season, as he continues to navigate the complexities of his new Ferrari car, having previously enjoyed significant success with Mercedes.

Leclerc’s unexpected pole position came as a surprise to many observers, particularly given the consistent performance of the McLaren cars throughout the season. Hamilton’s best result so far remains a sprint race victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, with no podium finishes in the main events to date. At the recent Belgian Grand Prix, he managed a recovery to seventh place after starting from the pit lane, a feat made possible by the wet conditions.

Reflecting on the upcoming race in Hungary, Hamilton appeared doubtful about the potential for rain to influence his performance. “I don’t think anything can help me right now,” he added, encapsulating his current sense of frustration.

As the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see if he can turn around his fortunes and find a way to connect with the Ferrari team’s capabilities. The race is set to unfold at the picturesque Hungaroring, a venue that has often provided thrilling moments for fans and competitors alike.