Lewis Hamilton: “I feel useless”

Lewis Hamilton has been swerving around the Formula 1 World Championship for 19 years, practically half his life. The Briton has changed a lot since the youngster who, in 2007, caught out his McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso, who had earned the label of undisputed leader of the grid by beating Michael Schumacher, the Kaiser. While it's true that that debut already gave some clue as to what was to come, no one could have imagined that Hamilton's stature would lead him to be hailed as the icon he has become.

At 40, he's not only accumulated the most brilliant record ever, with seven titles, more than 100 victories (105), almost twice as many podiums (202) and 104 pole positions . His figure transcends the realm of the circuits and sport. He's always been a pioneer, and the pressure that comes with it has never affected him. Until now. Upon his debut, he became the first black driver in history. Later (2008), he became the youngest champion. His departure from McLaren and his signing for Mercedes (2013) led many to treat him as enlightened. Probably the same people who, six crowns later, believed, and may still believe, that associating himself with Ferrari once he's past his prime can only bury him. For now, the latter are winning.

The paddock has been set up on the outskirts of Budapest, where this Sunday afternoon (3:00 p.m., Dazn), the caravan will go on vacation. Hamilton needs it more than ever, judging by the stress he's accumulating, which stems from the numbers he's carrying. In his first season at Ferrari, he seems to be the one carrying the Prancing Horse, to the point of having had the worst start of his career.

In addition to being the last round before the summer break, the Hungaroring is the 14th stop on the calendar. None of the previous 13 have seen him take a podium finish, something unprecedented in his history. In his worst starts to date, in 2009 and 2024, he achieved it in both cases at the tenth round. It also doesn't seem likely that he'll get on the podium in Hungary, where he'll start 13th, far behind Charles Leclerc, his garage neighbor, who, paradoxically, recorded the first pole position for the red cars in 2025. "I feel useless. It's not a problem with the car, because it's on pole . We'll probably have to change the driver," he declared after yesterday's fiasco.

In the qualifying session, the score is 10 to 4 in favor of the Monegasque driver, who sits fifth in the standings, one position ahead of the Tewin driver, who has 30 points less. "I'm having a very, very hard time with the balance of the car. My feeling is very different from previous years," said Hamilton after the first day of testing at the Hungaroring, one of his favorite circuits, having won eight times, more than anyone else and twice as many as the runner-up (Schumacher).

This week, Ferrari officially renewed Fred Vasseur 's contract as team principal, a move intended to inject stability by closing any loopholes through which Christian Horner, whom Red Bull abruptly dismissed less than a month ago, could sneak in. The Frenchman, pragmatic and more given to dry jokes than Horner's grandiloquence, has managed to consolidate his position at the helm of a team gripped for decades by internal politicking and power struggles. "We're on the right track," he repeats, without anyone raising their voice to contradict him.

When the Scuderia announced Hamilton's arrival, the entire motorsports world clenched its fists like children on Twelfth Night. For now, both sides deserve to be criticized. The team, for not being able to design a car that comes close to matching the McLarens. The driver, for not being able to threaten his teammate Leclerc. By investing in him, the Maranello brand sent an unequivocal message: waiting is no longer an option.

However, Hamilton has moved like an uncomfortable visitor. He smiles with effort and answers politely, but his eyes betray what the press releases don't specify. He speaks of a lack of adaptation to his new home, but half a year should have given him enough time to get used to the troops and the car. "This is a process. We knew it wasn't going to be easy," he repeats, practically as a mantra.

His words have the cadence of someone who seems accustomed to facing defeat with dignity. There are no excuses, but no surprises either. As if, deep down, he knew that this first year was the price he had to pay for wearing red. Ferrari continues with its promises; Hamilton, with his doubts.