Lewis Hamilton endured a miserable Hungarian Grand Prix weekend as he qualified 12th and finished in the same position while team-mate Charles Leclerc steered the other Ferrari to pole


Frederic Vasseur is sick of the criticism Lewis Hamilton is facing(Image: PA)

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has hit back furiously at questions surrounding Lewis Hamilton in the wake of his disastrous Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. The Brit suffered a nightmare time in Budapest, managing to qualify only 12th in his Ferrari.

The seven-time Formula 1 champion finished in the identical position come Sunday’s race, one lap down on the leaders and failing to register a single point. Making matters worse, team-mate Charles Leclerc was able to secure pole position in spectacular style.

A mechanical problem denied the Monegasque driver victory, though he still claimed P4 whilst continuing to eclipse his British colleague. Following qualifying, Hamilton labelled himself “useless” and hinted the team might benefit from switching drivers.

The 40-year-old also suggested trouble was brewing within the Scuderia, telling Sky Sports: “A lot is going on in the background that is not great.” He did, though, make it clear that his love for racing has not been diminished, and that he will be back after the summer break to try to get his season on track.

Vasseur has consistently backed his driver, insisting supporters and critics have “got to stop” examining his displays so harshly considering he is adapting to a new machine. The Frenchman also lashed out during a media session on Sunday amid questions about Hamilton.

One in particular irked Vasseur. When asked if he felt Hamilton’s salary, believed to be around £50million per year, represents good value for money for the team amid his struggles, he snapped back: “I am not sure that I understand your question, or if I understand, it is not a good one.

“We are taking drivers because we want to compete in the championship and to score points and to win races.” Yet, Hamilton has not been able to challenge for Grand Prix victories this year and has yet to stand on a podium representing Ferrari.

He sits sixth in the drivers’ championship, trailing Leclerc by 42 points. Ferrari occupy second spot in the constructors’ battle, yet find themselves 299 points adrift of McLaren with the teams’ title effectively already decided.

The seven-time champion joined from Mercedes on a two-year contract at the end of last season. The Silver Arrows had struggled across his final three seasons with the team and he felt leaving for Ferrari would give him a better chance of winning the title again before he retires.

But Hamilton’s sole victory in red so far was achieved at the Saturday sprint race in China. His most recent Grand Prix triumph was over 12 months ago, driving for Mercedes at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix – a victory he inherited after team-mate George Russell was disqualified because his car failed post-race technical checks.