Lewis Hamilton’s attempt to extend his record at the British Grand Prix encountered a setback after he qualified fifth at Silverstone, frustrating fans and observers alike. The race, held on July 5, 2025, saw Hamilton struggling to keep up with a dominant performance by Max Verstappen, who secured pole position with a blistering lap.

Despite promising results in Friday’s practice sessions where Hamilton finished first and third, Saturday’s qualifying did not go as hoped. Hamilton’s time left him outside the top three, dimming prospects to continue his remarkable 11-year podium streak on home turf. This qualifying result was particularly surprising given Ferrari’s usual strength on fast tracks like Silverstone.

Isack Hadjar’s emotional response captures the moment

Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, watching Hamilton’s qualifying lap from the media area, openly showed his disappointment by exclaiming “f***!” before visibly slumping away in frustration. Though Hadjar is contracted to Red Bull, the same team as Verstappen, he has openly expressed admiration for Hamilton throughout his career. This clash of loyalties added a compelling human element to the tense atmosphere around the Silverstone grid.

Hadjar’s admiration for Hamilton traces back to his younger days in racing. Prior to starting his first Formula 1 season, when asked about his favorite drivers, Hadjar emphatically labeled himself as a “Big Lewis fan.” Fellow rookie teammates such as Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto humorously confirmed his enthusiasm, recalling anecdotes about his excitement to interact with Hamilton during practice and photoshoots.

Ferrari’s mixed fortunes with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton spotlight team struggles

While Hamilton’s fifth place was disappointing, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc qualified even lower in sixth. Leclerc exhibited visible frustration on team radio, blaming himself for his subpar lap. In an unfiltered moment, he shouted,

“I am so f***ing shit. That’s all I am,”

highlighting the internal pressure he felt amidst stiff competition.

Ferrari’s challenges were notable given the track’s characteristics and their usual performance advantage at Silverstone. The underwhelming qualifying results underscored difficulties the team is facing this season, particularly in maintaining consistent front-running pace against rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes.

Hadjar’s challenging debut and special connection with Lewis Hamilton’s family

Meanwhile, Hadjar’s own weekend was tumultuous. After spinning out on the formation lap in Austria earlier this season, he was visibly emotional, retreating with his helmet covering his face. It was during moments like these that Hamilton’s father, Anthony Hamilton, offered comfort to the young driver, deepening the emotional connection between Hadjar and the Hamilton family.

Reflecting on this encounter, Hadjar described it as “quite a special moment” and revealed that Lewis Hamilton himself reached out to offer encouragement later that day, calling them “really classy guys.” This personal support has clearly meant a great deal to Hadjar as he navigates the pressures of his rookie season.

Lewis Hamilton’s quest to extend his Silverstone legacy faces an uphill battle

At 40 years old, Hamilton holds the record with nine British Grand Prix wins, more than any other driver at a single circuit. However, this year’s strong qualifying session from Verstappen and mixed results from Ferrari have made achieving a tenth win a difficult proposition. Hamilton needs to gain at least two positions during the race to keep his long-standing podium streak alive.

Despite the tough starting position, a podium finish would still represent important progress for Hamilton, who has yet to secure a top-three finish in a feature race this season for Ferrari. The race outcome on Sunday will be pivotal in shaping his and Ferrari’s championship prospects.