Aug.3 (GMM) Lewis Hamilton’s painful transition to Ferrari has hit a new low, with the seven-time world champion declaring himself “useless” after failing to reach Q3 in Hungary.
“The team, they have no problem – you’ve seen the car is on pole,” said Hamilton, whose teammate Charles Leclerc surprised many with a front-row start. “So, they probably need to change driver.”
The 40-year-old Briton’s comments have reignited speculation about possible retirement, just months after switching from Mercedes. “That’s a tendency,” said former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher on Sky Deutschland. “It happens very, very quickly. I personally experienced the same thing in DTM.
“I left the car a year early. Of course with Lewis, I don’t expect it to be immediate.”
But Schumacher said Leclerc’s current form and the team’s technical focus around him may be compounding Hamilton’s difficulties. “If things continue like this, Ferrari will have to choose one driver. Now he’s starting to doubt himself more and more.”
Hamilton, who said last week he didn’t want to repeat the fate of Alonso or Vettel at Ferrari, may now be confronting that very scenario. Former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli, speaking on Sky Italia, said: “His words after qualifying are almost a sign of surrender. Especially at a track he loves, and with his teammate on pole.”
Capelli added: “Even with the updates, the Englishman isn’t capable of pushing to the limit. His instincts can’t be overturned now.”
Team boss Frederic Vasseur defended Hamilton’s performance, saying “the window is tight” and the car “can’t cope with his driving style” yet. “We underestimated Lewis’ challenge at the start of the season. He spent twenty years in the same environment,” he told Sky Italia.
Meanwhile, Vasseur expressed relief that his own contract renewal has ended weeks of speculation. “There were some rumours in the press, it wasn’t easy for the stability of the team,” he told RTBF. “It’s behind us and that’s good news.”
While refusing to reveal the length of his new deal, Vasseur thanked Ferrari for giving him time. “You don’t win overnight. The proof is Christian Horner at Red Bull or Jean Todt at Ferrari. It takes years.”
Ferrari hasn’t won a constructors’ title since 2008. “We want to win again,” Vasseur said. “We’ve made progress, but we need time to put everything together. 2026 will be a great opportunity.”
As for Leclerc, Vasseur praised his resilience. “He’s doing a good job despite the difficult season. He never gave up. He works very well with Lewis.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES