The boss supports Hamilton but acknowledges that the transition was significant.

      "We misjudged the challenge Lewis faced at the beginning of the season."

      Lewis Hamilton's challenging move to Ferrari has reached a new low point, as the seven-time world champion described himself as "useless" after failing to advance to Q3 in Hungary. "The team has no issues – you’ve seen the car is on pole," Hamilton remarked, referring to his teammate Charles Leclerc's surprising front-row start. "So, they might need to consider changing drivers."

      The 40-year-old Briton's comments have sparked renewed speculation regarding his potential retirement, just months after his transition from Mercedes. "That is a tendency," stated former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher on Sky Deutschland. "It happens very, very quickly. I personally went through the same experience in DTM. I left the car a year too soon. However, I don't expect it to happen immediately with Lewis."

      Schumacher noted that Leclerc's current performance and the team’s technical direction focused on him may be intensifying Hamilton's challenges. "If things keep going this way, Ferrari will need to choose one driver. Now he's starting to doubt himself more and more."

      Hamilton, who mentioned last week that he didn't want to face the same fate as Alonso or Vettel at Ferrari, may now be encountering that very situation. Former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli, speaking on Sky Italia, remarked: "His comments after qualifying seem almost like a sign of surrender, especially at a track he loves and with his teammate on pole."

      Capelli added, "Even with the updates, the Englishman isn't able to push to the limit. His instincts can't be changed now." Team principal Frederic Vasseur defended Hamilton's performance, stating that "the window is tight" and the car "isn't yet compatible with his driving style." "We underestimated Lewis' challenge at the start of the season. He spent twenty years in the same environment," he told Sky Italia.

      Meanwhile, Vasseur expressed relief that the completion of his own contract renewal has put an end to weeks of speculation. "There were some rumors in the press, which didn’t help the team's stability," he mentioned to RTBF. "That’s behind us now, and it's positive news." While declining to disclose the length of his new contract, Vasseur thanked Ferrari for their patience. "You don’t win overnight. Just look at Christian Horner at Red Bull or Jean Todt at Ferrari. It takes years."

      Ferrari has not claimed a constructors' title since 2008. "We aim to win again," Vasseur stated. "We've made progress, but we need time to bring everything together. 2026 will be a significant opportunity." As for Leclerc, Vasseur commended his determination. "He’s performing well despite the challenging season. He has never given up and collaborates effectively with Lewis."