Lewis Hamilton suggests Ferrari now needs to replace him

Lewis Hamilton reckons Ferrari needs to “change driver” after his early exit in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix while Formula 1 team-mate Charles Leclerc took pole.

The seven-time world champion will start 12th for Sunday’s contest at the Hungaroring, while Ferrari stablemate Leclerc stormed to pole with his final lap in Q3.

It continues a very disappointing 2025 campaign so far for Hamilton, who is sixth in the championship and has been regularly beaten by fifth-placed Leclerc.

Hamilton, who immediately reacted via team radio saying “every time, every time”, was visibly annoyed in his post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1 and offered very little words, which went as follows:

Q: “Hi Lewis, can I just ask you the radio message ‘every time, every time’, what that was about?”
LH: “Oh it’s me every time.”
Q: “Yeah, so your qualifying, I know you’ve been upset by it before, frustrated by it before, is that what it is? Is it your qualifying, your Saturdays or?”
LH: “Yeah, useless, absolutely useless.”
Q: “Anything, any answers anywhere? This car, they’re trying to get this car in a better position for you.”
LH: “The team has no problem, you’ve seen the car is on pole, so we probably need to change driver.”

Hamilton then explained to print media that “not once this weekend” did he feel he was on for a better result, despite holding a record eight victories at the Hungaroring.

He still acknowledged that qualifying was “amazing for the team” as Leclerc’s pole came as a shock after championship leaders McLaren topped every session until Q3 – citing “big progress” for Ferrari.

Photos from Hungarian GP – Practice & Qualifying