No one involved in Formula 1 wants to witness a driver publicly expressing doubts about their future in the sport, especially someone of Lewis Hamilton’s stature. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, Lewis Hamilton has seen many legendary names come and go throughout his remarkable career. Initially, it seemed his path would never cross with Michael Schumacher’s until the German’s surprise comeback with Mercedes, which yielded just one podium and one pole position across three seasons.
During Hamilton’s time on the grid, Sebastian Vettel secured four world championships but experienced a sharp decline by his final season, finishing 12th in the drivers’ standings while driving for a middling Aston Martin outfit. Similarly, Kimi Räikkönen faced struggles with Alfa Romeo late in his career, and Jenson Button endured McLaren’s most difficult period before eventually retiring. Among recently retired world champions, only Nico Rosberg departed at the peak of his career, winning his title before stepping away.
The Hungarian Grand Prix proved especially challenging for Hamilton as he witnessed his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc secure pole position and narrowly miss out on a podium or even a potential victory due to a technical failure. Hamilton’s mood was notably low on team radio after the race, and for the first time this season, he failed to score any points over a race weekend.
Former world champion Damon Hill has cautioned Hamilton that maintaining peak performance becomes increasingly difficult as his career extends, while veteran commentator Martin Brundle has offered a concerning outlook on Hamilton’s future at Ferrari based on his recent form at the Hungaroring.
Martin Brundle is skeptical Lewis Hamilton will remain at Ferrari beyond two seasons
Reflecting on the Hungarian GP during his Sky Sports analysis, Martin Brundle described Hamilton’s weekend as one of the toughest he has endured, both on and off the track. Martin Brundle noted that Hamilton struggled significantly with pace in qualifying, starting 12th while Leclerc secured pole position. After qualifying, Hamilton referred to himself as “useless” and suggested the team might need to change drivers—a statement Brundle felt was better left unsaid but indicative of the self-critical place Hamilton found himself in.
Brundle emphasized that Hamilton is clearly facing personal difficulties. Throughout the race, Hamilton finished 12th again, showing no clear signs of recovery or progress. Martin Brundle also highlighted Hamilton’s lengthy, motionless moment in the car during parc fermé after the race, his continued subdued demeanor in interviews, and his surprising decision to skip the stewards’ inquiry regarding a risky maneuver by Max Verstappen in Turn Four. Instead of contesting the incident, Hamilton chose to concede via his team, whereas Max Verstappen attended the hearing and explained his viewpoint, ultimately avoiding penalty.
Brundle concluded that the summer break arrives at a critical time for Hamilton to reset mentally and physically. While it is painful to see a champion of Hamilton’s caliber in such difficulty, there remains hope that his talent and experience will help him bounce back. However, Brundle admitted he finds it hard to imagine Hamilton enduring another two seasons at Ferrari—or elsewhere—if his current struggles continue.
Lewis Hamilton maintains love for racing despite early setbacks with Ferrari
Hamilton’s comments suggesting Ferrari might need to change drivers after his qualifying disappointment in Hungary have inevitably sparked speculation about his future. Nevertheless, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur continues to express full support for the seven-time world champion. At present, Hamilton’s contributions toward developing Ferrari’s 2026 car could prove to be his most significant value to the team.
After the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton reiterated his passion for racing, despite the disappointing result at one of his favorite circuits. Stefano Domenicali has expressed confidence that Lewis Hamilton will rebound from his recent poor form. However, with only ten Grands Prix remaining in the 2025 season, Hamilton faces mounting pressure to secure his first podium finish as a Ferrari driver.
The upcoming Italian Grand Prix represents a perfect opportunity for the Briton to thank the passionate Tifosi for their unwavering support this season and potentially begin turning his fortunes around.
Leave a Reply