Lewis Hamilton faced a frustrating and disappointing race at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing in 12th place after a poor start, which left the seven-time world champion visibly upset and prompted a rare self-critical rant. This reaction, centered on the Lewis Hamilton Hungarian GP rant, has drawn significant criticism, most notably from former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi, who condemned Hamilton’s negative attitude during an already challenging period for the team.</p>
Jean Alesi Compares Hamilton’s Reaction to Ferrari Legends
Ferrari, known as the most iconic team in Formula 1, has a rich history of legendary drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, who endured their own difficult moments but handled pressure differently. Jean Alesi contrasted Hamilton’s public self-deprecation with the resilience reportedly shown by these earlier champions. Alesi believes that Hamilton’s comments are demoralizing to the team rather than constructive, a position that sparked widespread debate given Hamilton’s esteemed status in the sport.
While many acknowledge Hamilton’s honesty about his struggles as a way to manage expectations, Alesi insists that expressing doubt publicly has a negative impact on morale. The former Ferrari driver bluntly stated that Schumacher and Senna would never have expressed such harsh criticism of themselves in a public forum, implying that Hamilton’s approach is detrimental to team spirit.
I think Hamilton’s attitude demoralizes the people working around him. Senna or Schumacher would have never said anything like that.
Jean Alesi wrote for Corriere dello Sport in his ‘Pit Stop’ column
Ferrari’s Challenges at the Hungarian GP Highlight Internal Issues
The Hungarian GP weekend was plagued by errors and technical difficulties for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, who started on pole, struggled with chassis problems and strategic missteps, eventually finishing fourth, while Hamilton’s race was overshadowed by a poor start and a lackluster performance that left him out of the points. Alesi described the weekend as a disaster, likening it to an “Italian comedy” that quickly turned into a “horror film” due to Ferrari’s inability to field a consistently competitive car across the race weekend.
George Russell’s observations about Leclerc’s car problems further illuminated Ferrari’s troubles, revealing that the team seemed unaware of significant performance inconsistencies between qualifying and race day. Alesi’s disappointment reflects the frustration of Ferrari fans and insiders who expected more reliability and consistency from the SF-25 challenger.
It looked like an Italian comedy, it became a horror film, The reason was revealed by Russell after observing Leclerc’s car on the track. A Ferrari that runs on Saturday and then doesn’t work on Sunday is what infuriates those who love the Prancing Horse the most.
Jean Alesi noted
Alesi Responds to Hamilton’s Suggestion for Driver Changes
Hamilton’s remarks extended beyond self-criticism, as he suggested that Ferrari consider seeking a different driver amid their challenging season. This outburst did not sit well with Alesi, who expressed disappointment over such comments from a driver of Hamilton’s stature. The ex-Ferrari ace reminded the community that legends like Senna and Schumacher maintained unwavering confidence in themselves and their teams, even in difficult times.
Alesi’s reaction underlines the tension within Ferrari, where leadership and driver confidence are both crucial as the team works to recover from a disappointing start to the 2025 season.
Looking Forward: Ferrari’s Path After the Hungarian GP Setback
With the summer break underway, Ferrari aims to regroup and correct the costly mistakes observed during the Hungarian GP. The team’s hope rests on technical improvements and stronger race strategies in the remaining events this season. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton appears to be shifting focus away from the current year’s struggles toward preparing for a more competitive 2026 campaign.
Despite the criticism and low points, Hamilton remains a revered figure in Formula 1, determined to overcome this slump and contribute positively to Ferrari’s resurgence. The upcoming races will serve as a critical test for the Prancing Horse and its drivers as they seek to turn frustration into motivation and tangible results.