Ferrari Boss Defends Hamilton Amidst Frustration After Hungarian Grand Prix
In the wake of a challenging weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has come to the defense of Lewis Hamilton, who expressed frustration over his performance, labeling himself as “absolutely useless.”
Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, faced a disappointing qualifying session on Saturday, failing to advance past Q2 at the Hungaroring, a track where he boasts eight previous victories. His post-qualifying comments reflected his disappointment, suggesting that Ferrari “probably need to change driver.”
Vasseur, however, attributed Hamilton’s remarks to the typical frustrations athletes experience when things don’t go as planned. “Sometimes just after the race, or just after the Quali, you are very disappointed, and the first reaction is harsh,” he explained. “We all know that we are pushing in the same direction.”
The Ferrari boss emphasized that such reactions are not uncommon in sports. “If you put the microphone on some other sportsman in football, for example, their comments might not be much better right after a tough performance,” he added.
In Sunday’s race, Hamilton’s struggles continued, culminating in a 12th-place finish—his first time finishing outside the points at the Hungarian circuit. This disappointing result adds to a challenging first season with Ferrari after signing a lucrative multi-year deal reportedly worth $100 million per year.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains sixth in the drivers’ standings with 109 points, still searching for his first podium finish with the Scuderia.