‘I’m glad it’s over’ – Hamilton ‘looking forward to going away’ after tough Hungary weekend finishes without points

Lewis Hamilton’s challenging weekend in Hungary continued on Sunday, with the Ferrari driver finishing the Grand Prix a lap down and outside the points-paying positions.

After a tricky first day of practice, Hamilton dropped out in the second Qualifying phase and started from 12th position – commenting afterwards that he was “absolutely useless” and Ferrari “probably need to change driver”.

Hamilton’s hopes of making progress around the tight, twisty Budapest venue were low and, despite the seven-time World Champion’s best efforts, he ended the 70-lap encounter where he started.

Summing up his day on F1 TV, Hamilton simply called it a “pretty bad” experience, before being asked if any progress had been possible, to which he said: “Not really, no. Just stuck where I was.”

As for his mindset going into the summer break, Hamilton stated: “Same as it was yesterday. I’m glad it’s over. I’m looking forward to going away.”

In another interview with Sky Sports F1, Hamilton was asked to expand on his headline-making post-Qualifying comment that Ferrari should consider a driver change.

Pushed on whether he is finding it difficult to pick himself up, and whether he could help viewers understand his remarks, Hamilton said: “Not particularly. When you have a feeling, you have a feeling. There’s a lot going on in the background that is not great.”

Meanwhile, F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who previously served as Ferrari’s team boss, was keen to show his support for Hamilton amid the Briton’s struggles.

“First of all, Lewis is a jewel, he is an incredible athlete, so no matter if it is a difficult moment, he will react, and I’m pretty sure he will show the reason why he is here,” noted Domenicali to Sky Sports F1.

“He wants to achieve his eighth title, and he will triumph again. So, stay with Lewis and he will do a great race, and be very, very strong after the summer [break].”

Hamilton’s team mate, Charles Leclerc, finished Sunday’s race in fourth position – the Monegasque leading away from pole position but dropping back as strategies played out and later confirming a chassis problem.