Incredible but true — Charles Leclerc has taken pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, doing so on the very track he traditionally dislikes the most. With this result, Scuderia Ferrari can once again allow itself to dream. Everything changed in an instant during qualifying when the track temperature suddenly dropped by around ten degrees Celsius and the wind picked up, throwing McLaren off balance. These small but significant details made all the difference. However, the miracle was not achieved solely due to weather conditions. The true game-changer came from Charles Leclerc himself — a stroke of genius delivered by a driver who, ever since the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, has been performing at a higher level and avoiding mistakes, except for the minor, routine ones every driver encounters.
Something clicked within Charles Leclerc over the winter. When he heard from Maranello’s management that Lewis Hamilton would be the central figure and point of reference for the team in 2025, rather than falter, he responded with focus and determination. Instead of being discouraged or consumed by doubts, the Monegasque driver reacted by sharpening his concentration and silencing any inner demons or external skepticism. The result has been the emergence of a “new Leclerc” — still blisteringly fast as ever, but now more mature, more consistent, and clearly leading Ferrari not only in terms of raw pace, but also in dedication and technical feedback to the engineers regarding setup direction and performance improvements.
His pole lap at the Hungaroring encapsulated all of this. It was a perfect blend of talent, risk-taking, and precision. Leclerc continues to take extreme risks with the same natural ease at every track and in every corner, and this time, when McLaren briefly lost its rhythm, he pounced like a tiger. The result was a front-row start, ahead of Oscar Piastri by a whisker and just one-tenth of a second ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell — the latter putting in an impressive lap for Mercedes and securing a spot on the second row.
So, is Ferrari capable of winning the Hungarian Grand Prix? The car is certainly competitive. While the SF-25 may not yet match the McLaren in terms of overall performance, starting from pole position on a track like the Hungaroring — where overtaking is notoriously difficult — represents a massive advantage. There is genuine reason for optimism. Especially considering that Charles Leclerc is under no pressure in the championship fight, while both McLaren drivers — Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris — will be forced to think carefully and avoid taking unnecessary risks, as they are fully immersed in the title battle and cannot afford to throw away valuable points.
Additionally, Ferrari’s race pace looks promising. On Friday, the Maranello team completed an excellent race simulation during free practice, further reinforcing hopes for a strong performance on Sunday. In theory, all the conditions are now in place for a successful weekend — at last.
But while the mood in Maranello is celebratory thanks to Charles Leclerc’s heroics, there is a noticeable absence in the party — Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion will start only 12th on the grid. It marks the fourth time in the 2025 season, out of 14 races, that he has failed to make it into Q3. And once again, the reason is the same: his pace simply wasn’t enough. It’s a disappointing and troubling situation.
There seems to be something broken inside Lewis Hamilton — beyond words, intentions, or the reports he continues to send to upper management in an attempt to address shortcomings in Ferrari’s operational structure. At times, his tone has even sounded like that of a former driver, and that is a chilling thought. After qualifying, his words were brutally honest: “The car is there, it’s on pole. Maybe it’s time to change the driver.”
It is clear that Lewis Hamilton is feeling the pressure of Charles Leclerc’s speed, and the rest of his performance is suffering as a result. Is Hamilton a finished driver? Certainly not. But he is a driver who currently needs care, support, and a structured path to recovery. Consider the example of Fernando Alonso. At 44 years old, the Spaniard put in a stunning performance this weekend at the Hungaroring. With a much-improved Aston Martin — the same car that struggled at the back of the grid in Belgium — Alonso was fastest in practice and qualified just a tenth of a second behind Charles Leclerc, securing an excellent fifth place on the grid. For comparison, Lewis Hamilton is 40 years old. Clearly, Team Principal Fred Vasseur now has an additional and urgent issue to address — one that cannot be postponed.
For now, however, Ferrari must enjoy this unexpectedly joyous moment. Charles Leclerc is driving like a man possessed — relentless, focused, and committed to giving everything he has. He is supported by a revitalized SF-25 that has significantly improved thanks to the rear suspension upgrade introduced at the Belgian Grand Prix. That upgrade has expanded the car’s tyre operating window, and the results are now clear in performance terms.
That was the missing piece. The rest — as ever — will be up to Charles Leclerc. And rest assured, he is ready to deliver.
Leave a Reply