Lewis Hamilton expressed disappointment with his performance during the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session, labeling himself as “useless” and suggesting that Ferrari may need to consider a driver change. Hamilton, who will start the race from 12th on the grid, failed to secure a top 10 spot after a lackluster Q2 exit.
On the contrary, Charles Leclerc brought jubilation to the Ferrari team by clinching their first pole position of the season. While Leclerc celebrated his success, Hamilton appeared visibly emotional during an interview with Sky Sports, taking full responsibility for his subpar performance and acknowledging his struggles on the track.
Despite showing promise in Friday’s practice sessions, Hamilton had been grappling with balance issues in his car, which ultimately hampered his qualifying performance. In contrast, Leclerc, who previously expressed dissatisfaction with the Hungaroring circuit, delivered an exceptional qualifying lap to outshine the McLaren contenders and secure pole position.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri outpaced Lando Norris, his teammate, securing a spot on the front row alongside Leclerc. The McLaren duo’s battle for supremacy highlights the intense competition within the team as they aim to outperform each other in the championship race.
As the race approaches, Piastri leads Norris by 16 points, seeking to extend his advantage before the summer break. Following the Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula 1 will reconvene at the end of August for the Dutch Grand Prix, setting the stage for further thrilling races.
Looking ahead to the race lineup, George Russell claimed the fourth spot on the grid, joining Norris on the second row. Behind them, the Aston Martin pair of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are poised to start the race, demonstrating significant improvement in performance compared to their previous showing at Spa-Francorchamps.