‘I’m just useless’ – Lewis Hamilton tells Ferrari to consider sacking him in shock interview

Lewis Hamilton has hit rock bottom at Ferrari by sensationally suggesting that the team may have to SACK him.

The seven-time world champion endured a miserable qualifying session for the Hungarian Grand Prix, in which Ferrari secured their first main race pole position of the 2025 season.

Getty

However, it came through Hamilton’s teammate, after the 40-year-old crashed out in Q2 and will line up in 11th on the grid.

Charles Leclerc will start on pole for Sunday’s race, having clocked a 1:15.372 – 0.026 seconds ahead of McLaren‘s Oscar Piastri.

It is the first time in the Monegasque’s career that he has taken pole in Hungary, which has been Hamilton’s hunting ground for so long.

The latter still holds the record for the most pole positions at a single track in F1 history, having topped qualifying NINE times in Hungary.

It is Hamilton’s second most successful track overall, having won the Hungarian GP eight times – one shy of his home race at Silverstone.

However, for a successive race weekend, the 40-year-old failed to reach the final part of qualifying – the first time in 19 visits to the Hungaroring that he has not been involved in the fight for pole.

Hamilton claimed the continued problems he’s having this season are on him, not the car, so Ferrari probably needs to change drivers.

The F1 superstar could only muster a defeated reaction on the Ferrari team radio, saying: “Every time…Every time.”

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Hamilton said: “It’s me every time. I’m useless, absolutely useless.

“Team’s not the problem, can see the other car on pole. Team probably needs to change driver.”

Getty

The misery in the Scuderia’s garage soon turned to elation when Leclerc beat out Piastri and Lando Norris to claim pole position.

Leclerc said: “The whole qualifying has been extremely difficult, and when I say that I’m not exaggerating.

“It was super difficult for us to get to Q2 and Q3. In Q3, the conditions changed a little bit, and everything became a lot trickier, and I knew I had to just do a clean lap to target third.

“At the end of the day, it’s pole position and I definitely did not expect that.”

“I honestly have no words, it’s probably one of the best pole positions I’ve ever had because it’s the most unexpected for sure.

“The start and Turn One will be key, I have no idea how it will go. One thing for sure is that I will do absolutely everything in order to keep that first place. If we manage to do that, then that should make our life easier for the rest of the race.”

AFP

What is Hamilton’s record at Hungary GP?

Hamilton, meanwhile, has now seen two of his iconic streaks end this summer, having not ended up on the podium at Silverstone.

He followed up the British Grand Prix with a nightmare at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

Qualifying again proved a particular struggle, recording 18th for the sprint race and 16th for the Belgian Grand Prix.

For the sprint race, he only recovered to 15th, but on Sunday, he made it up to seventh and won the fans’ Driver of the Day vote.

Will Hamilton leave Ferrari?

Overall, the picture hasn’t been overly positive since the Brit traded Mercedes for Ferrari, as he’s yet to record a podium in a feature race.

He is also 30 points off teammate Leclerc in the drivers’ championship, and has been advised to leave Ferrari already.

“One shouldn’t judge Hamilton too quickly. But I hadn’t imagined it would be quite so bad,” Ralf Schumacher told Sky Germany. 

“Of course, there were some bright spots, like in China [where he won the sprint race]. But overall, it’s a bit sad to watch. 

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him, because he has to turn things around. If this season ends like this, then I don’t know if the collaboration would still make sense in the long run.”

Hungarian Grand Prix: Qualifying results

1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:15.372

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

3. Lando Norris (McLaren)

4. George Russell (Mercedes)

5. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

6. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

7. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)

8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)

10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

11. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

12. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)

15. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

16. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)

17. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

18. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

19. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

20. Alex Albon (Williams)