Lewis Hamilton’s difficult start with Ferrari has raised concerns among Formula 1 fans and experts following the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. The seven-time world champion, who finished 12th after qualifying in the same position, openly expressed frustration about his performance, describing himself as “useless” and questioned Ferrari’s driver strategy.

Over the weekend, Hamilton hinted at internal issues affecting his progress, saying,

I look forward to coming back. Hopefully, I’ll be back.

This statement came after a challenging race where he struggled to find pace and consistency.

Expert Insights Reveal the Depth of Hamilton’s Difficult Weekend

Jamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion, and Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist, spoke about Hamilton’s struggles during a Sky Sports F1 podcast, highlighting the complexity of his difficult start with Ferrari. Chadwick described Hamilton’s situation as

“not the fairytale we’re all hoping for.”

She elaborated on the multiple pressures Hamilton faced during the race, noting that his car management restrictions left him unable to attack and recover positions:

“It’s been a really tough few races for Lewis, and also in that race, like lap seven, he’s been told to lift more to manage overheating. And as a driver, you’re already having a tough weekend, and you’re told you can’t even attack to try and make up for it.”

According to Chadwick, the frustration Hamilton expressed stems from his high expectations after moving to Ferrari with the goal of securing an eighth world title. Many of the setbacks have deepened his disappointment, as racing for wins is integral to his career ambitions.

She added,

So, it’s very hard listening, to be honest. I really hope the summer break gives an opportunity for not just him but Ferrari to reflect and find a way out of it, because it’s not nice for anyone to hear that. But particularly from a driving point of view, it’s a really hard listen.

Team Dynamics and Technical Issues Complicate Hamilton’s Season

Bernie Collins provided insight into the internal efforts to support Hamilton and improve his performance. She explained that the focus is on understanding the root causes of his difficulties, especially in qualifying where he seems to lose time, despite a comparatively stronger race pace.

She noted,

Yeah, I think it’s probably more Lewis’s own team – the people he has around him, to try and lift him up a little bit, try and get the best out of him, try and figure out where he’s losing performance in, let’s say, qualifying. I think his race was probably stronger – definitely his final stint was stronger. So it’s just about trying to get the best out of him.

Collins identified two central challenges Ferrari currently faces: improving the overall car’s performance and maximizing Hamilton’s output amid these struggles.

She continued,

Ferrari has two challenges. One being the car performance and the issues like we’ve seen with Charles Leclerc, and two being how do they get the most out of their second driver – or Lewis Hamilton, let’s not call him the second driver, that’s probably unfair – but how do they get the most out of Lewis Hamilton?

Addressing technical difficulties, Collins pointed out questions surrounding Hamilton’s driving style and setup choices, along with problematic areas such as qualifying laps and out-laps. These factors are critical in understanding why Hamilton is not yet extracting the car’s full potential.

She added,

And where is it going wrong? What is it about his driving style? What is it about his set-up? What is it about what’s happening in qualifying or his outlaps? What specific thing is it that’s not allowing him to get the most out of that car?

Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton as the Season Progresses

Hamilton’s challenging start to his debut season with Ferrari has put both the driver and the team under significant pressure. Expectations were high given his track record and Ferrari’s ambitions, but the current difficulties are prompting concerns about the team’s ability to compete at the front consistently.

The summer break will be a crucial period for reflection and adjustments as Hamilton and Ferrari work to resolve the underlying issues. How effectively they address car performance and Hamilton’s adaptation to the new environment may determine their success for the remainder of the season.

Hamilton’s candid remarks, combined with expert analysis from Chadwick and Collins, highlight the tension surrounding what was hoped to be a smooth transition. The coming races will reveal whether Hamilton can overcome these obstacles and reclaim his form with Ferrari on the world stage.