Lewis Hamilton’s Hungarian GP struggles spark claims Ferrari are favouring Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton’s disappointing performance during the 2025 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix has intensified speculation that Ferrari may be prioritising Charles Leclerc within the team. According to Gian Carlo Minardi, the former Formula 1 team boss and a long-standing figure in Italian motorsport, the contrast in treatment between the two Ferrari drivers is becoming more apparent.
The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend showcased a stark difference in form between the Scuderia’s two drivers. Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole position of the 2025 season, delivering a strong qualifying session that placed him firmly in contention for victory. While he ultimately finished in fourth place following a suspected chassis issue and a five-second penalty, the Monegasque remained competitive throughout much of the race.
Lewis Hamilton, by contrast, experienced one of his most difficult weekends since joining the Maranello-based team. The British driver failed to progress beyond Q2, qualifying in 12th position—a placement he also held at the chequered flag after a one-stop strategy failed to improve his standing. The result at the Hungaroring marked the first time Hamilton has finished a race for Ferrari without scoring any points, excluding his disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier in the year.
The Budapest result was the fourth occasion in 2025 that Hamilton has failed to reach Q3 during qualifying, highlighting an ongoing trend of underwhelming single-lap pace. The 40-year-old had previously earned points in all 12 of his classified finishes this season, underlining how unusual his Hungarian GP performance was, particularly at a circuit where he has historically excelled.
Minardi suspects Ferrari have broken promises made to Hamilton
Gian Carlo Minardi has voiced concerns that Lewis Hamilton’s visible frustration may stem from deeper dissatisfaction within the team. The veteran motorsport executive suggested that the Briton feels Ferrari have not delivered on key promises made when he joined the Italian outfit. Observing the British driver’s emotional reaction after qualifying—where he placed well behind Leclerc—Minardi interpreted it as a sign that Hamilton may no longer feel fully supported by the team.
Minardi explained that based on Lewis Hamilton’s recent interviews, there are growing indications the seven-time world champion believes Ferrari have failed to follow through on several internal agreements. While stopping short of making a definitive judgment, Minardi expressed the view that Ferrari currently appear more focused on guiding Charles Leclerc’s development and performance rather than giving equal backing to both drivers.
This perception has been reinforced by Leclerc’s consistent edge in both qualifying and race results. In the Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying session alone, Leclerc outpaced Hamilton by nearly a quarter of a second in Q2 before progressing to Q3 and securing pole. While a suspected technical issue affected Leclerc’s race pace in the latter stages, he still finished a full 37.560 seconds ahead of Hamilton before time penalties were applied.
Leclerc extends his advantage over Hamilton in Ferrari’s internal battle
Charles Leclerc now holds a 42-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the F1 drivers’ championship standings after 14 rounds. Charles Leclerc currently sits fifth overall, while Hamilton finds himself in sixth position with 109 points—despite a strong start to the season that included winning the Sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.
So far, Lewis Hamilton’s best performances in red have come in F1 Sprint races rather than full-length Grands Prix. Alongside his victory in Shanghai, he also claimed third place in the Miami Sprint. In contrast, his top main-race finishes for Ferrari have been three fourth-place results—secured at Imola, the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and Silverstone. However, podiums in the main events have remained elusive.
Ferrari, meanwhile, continue to chase their first Grand Prix win of the 2025 season. Despite securing multiple podiums and a pole position, the Scuderia remain the only team among the current top four in the constructors’ championship standings without a race victory this year. Nevertheless, the team holds second place in the standings at the summer break—largely due to the Monegasque’s consistency and the occasional points Hamilton has gathered in non-race formats.
Lewis Hamilton’s post-race reflections in Hungary indicated growing self-doubt, and questions are now being raised about whether Ferrari are doing enough to support both of their drivers equally. The disparity in performances and results has amplified concerns that internal dynamics may be tilting in favour of Charles Leclerc—potentially at the expense of team unity and Hamilton’s long-term motivation.
As the season heads into its second half, Hamilton faces mounting pressure to reverse his form and regain momentum. At the same time, Ferrari must address growing perceptions that one of the sport’s most decorated drivers is not receiving equal treatment—especially as expectations around the team’s 2025 campaign remain high.
