Lewis Hamilton’s Hungarian Grand Prix frustrations deepen as Ferrari strategy and lift-and-coast orders hinder progress
Lewis Hamilton has delivered several impressive comeback drives throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. However, the Hungarian Grand Prix was not one of them. After being eliminated in Q2 during qualifying at the Hungaroring, the seven-time World Champion failed to make any notable gains on race day, leaving him once again outside the points and struggling to regain momentum.
Earlier in the season, Hamilton showcased his resilience by rebounding strongly from qualifying setbacks. At Ferrari’s home race in Imola, the British driver recovered from a difficult Saturday to finish fourth. A month later in Belgium, a well-timed pit stop after a disastrous Q1 exit allowed him to fight back to seventh. But in Budapest, Ferrari opted for a different tactical approach — one that ultimately did not yield the desired results.
Hamilton was the only driver on the grid to start the Hungarian Grand Prix on hard tyres, a strategic gamble by the Ferrari team aimed at giving him fresher medium tyres for the final stint. However, with no safety car to neutralize the field or open strategic windows, the decision left Hamilton vulnerable. Rivals ahead were able to pit earlier and maintain track position, while Hamilton struggled to close the gap.
Although he managed a few overtakes during the race, Hamilton eventually became stuck behind Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar. The young drivers held him at bay, with Antonelli going on to secure the final championship point. Despite his efforts, Hamilton could not extract the performance he needed from the SF-25 to move forward in the field.
Ferrari lift-and-coast instructions limited Hamilton’s ability to fight back
Following the race, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Chadwick provided insight into Hamilton’s difficult afternoon. She explained that Ferrari had issued early instructions that severely limited the Briton’s ability to race aggressively. According to Chadwick, Hamilton had been told to “lift and coast” as early as lap three — a method used to reduce overheating and preserve the underfloor plank, which has been a recurring technical concern for Ferrari in 2025.
These lift-and-coast messages came again on laps eight and twelve, effectively curtailing Hamilton’s ability to push in braking zones or attack the cars ahead. The decision to implement such conservative measures so early in the race raised questions about Ferrari’s confidence in their car’s durability and performance under pressure.
Notably, Lewis Hamilton had not managed a single overtake before his first pit stop. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc was initially in contention for a podium finish before suffering a sudden and unexplained drop in pace, which saw the Monegasque driver slip to fourth by the chequered flag.
Chadwick sympathised with Lewis Hamilton’s situation and believed that the combination of poor strategy and technical limitations was having a cumulative effect on the British driver’s morale. She remarked that being instructed to manage temperatures so early in the race, especially during an already difficult weekend, would have been disheartening. Chadwick suggested that Hamilton’s ongoing frustrations stem from the fact that he joined Ferrari with the clear intention of fighting for an eighth World Championship, only to face persistent setbacks that undermine that goal.
She added that even a couple of bad weekends could be mentally draining for a driver of Hamilton’s calibre, especially when the expectations were so high. Chadwick hoped that the upcoming summer break would allow both Hamilton and the Ferrari team to regroup and recalibrate, offering a much-needed opportunity to work through their issues and prepare for a stronger second half of the season.
Lewis Hamilton’s emotional toll raises retirement speculation as Brundle weighs in
Lewis Hamilton’s mood in Hungary painted a bleak picture. After the Grand Prix, he was seen sitting motionless in his Ferrari for over a minute in parc fermé — a moment that spoke volumes about his mental state. His candid comments following qualifying, in which he suggested Ferrari should consider replacing him, only added to the growing uncertainty surrounding his future in Formula 1.
This emotional low point has sparked speculation about whether Hamilton is considering retirement. Although he signed a two-year contract with Ferrari 18 months ago — a deal that reportedly includes an option for a third season — doubts are emerging about whether he will see it through.
Veteran commentator Martin Brundle suggested that unless Hamilton and Ferrari can find a breakthrough, the 40-year-old may not continue racing beyond 2026. Brundle noted that Hamilton’s confidence appears shaken by the challenges he is facing with the current generation of F1 machinery, and that a solution must be found soon if he is to recapture his former competitiveness.
Lewis Hamilton’s current stretch of 16 races without a podium finish marks the longest such drought of his entire Formula 1 career. Since making his debut in 2007, he has secured at least five podiums every season — a testament to his extraordinary consistency. The current run, which began during his final races with Mercedes and has continued into his Ferrari tenure, underscores just how far removed he is from the title contention he once dominated.
As the 2025 season heads into the summer break, the Briton and Ferrari face mounting pressure to solve their technical and strategic issues. Whether the break provides the clarity and reset they need remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the clock is ticking on Lewis Hamilton’s time to make this chapter of his career a success.
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