Italian media have strongly criticized the recent performance of Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari after a dismal weekend at the Hungaroring, marking his worst outing since joining the Scuderia. At the final race before Formula 1’s summer break, Hamilton was knocked out in Q2, forcing him to start Sunday’s race from 12th place on the grid.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc took pole position ahead of the championship-contending McLaren drivers, highlighting the sharp contrast within the team. Despite this advantage, Hamilton expressed frustration and even questioned whether Ferrari should replace him before finishing the race in the same low position, marking his poorest result this season.
Italian Press Highlights Hamilton’s Lack of Form and Calls for Change
La Gazzetta dello Sport, reflecting on the 40-year-old’s difficult weekend, rated Hamilton’s performance a 5 out of 10, noting his inability to improve on his grid position and the low morale he displayed. The outlet commented:
He’d never looked so down and demoralised. Considering the SF-25’s troubles, he needs to shake things up. Ferrari needs the real Lewis.
—La Gazzetta dello Sport
The publication contrasted Hamilton’s evaluation with a higher rating of 7 out of 10 for Leclerc, though it also pointed out the ongoing challenges faced by the Monegasque driver. Leclerc’s race was undermined by a serious drop in car performance following his second pit stop, which led to the loss of both a race win and a podium finish. The report also penalized him for a maneuver on George Russell that cost him five seconds:
Another pole position without a win. He gave it his all, but the car’s collapse after the second pit stop left him with no chance. Half a point deducted for the manoeuvre on Russell, which cost him five seconds.
—La Gazzetta dello Sport
Summer Break Urged as Crucial Moment for Ferrari’s Strategy
Both Ferrari drivers appeared visibly discouraged by the weekend’s outcome, and Italian media are urging the team to use the upcoming summer shutdown for reflection and reorganization. With the championship full of challenges, the Scuderia is facing pressure to overhaul its approach to support both Hamilton and Leclerc more effectively.
It is widely believed that Ferrari must act swiftly to restore confidence and competitiveness if they hope to boost morale and remain contenders for the 2026 season and beyond. This call for change aligns with broader F1 conversations, including reports of rival discussions within Red Bull and ongoing disputes among top teams.