‘I'm absolutely useless' – Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari ‘need to change driver' after Hungarian GP qualifying nightmare
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
LEWIS HAMILTON slammed himself as "useless" and told Ferrari to "CHANGE driver" after another nightmare qualifying saw him booted out in 12th.
To make matters worse for the seven-time world champion his teammate Charles Leclerc bagged a shock pole position at the Hungaroring.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Lewis Hamilton slammed himself as 'useless'
Credit: PA
5
Hamilton told Ferrari to 'change driver'
Credit: PA
5
Another nightmare qualifying saw him booted out in 12th
Credit: Reuters
Hamilton's Q2 exit comes after the British 40-year-old was axed all the way back in 18th in Q1 at the Belgian Grand Prix last time out.
And today, Rookies Gabriel Bortoleto, Isack Hadjar and Ollie Bearman all finished ahead of the British 40-year-old in Hungary.
Hamilton said 'Everytime, everytime.' on his team radio as the mechanics rolled his car back into the garage.
He added: "It's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless.
READ MORE IN F1
TRACK BACK Popular F1 track hopes to return after 3 decades as redevelopment takes place
"The team have no problem. You've seen the car's on pole so we probably need to change driver."
Told his assessment is obviously not the case, Hamilton replied: "It clearly is. I just drove terribly. It is what it is."
Hamilton has not finished on the podium after 13-races since his move to Ferrari this season, meanwhile his teammate Leclerc is 30-points above him in the driver's standings.
Nobody saw it coming, the first pole of the year for Leclerc, 27, to stun second-place Oscar Piastri and third-place Lando Norris in their lightning quick McLarens.
5
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
Leclerc's stunning lap threw a huge spanner in the works as McLaren had looked on course to line up one-two on the grid after the first two sessions.
But soon they were left scratching their heads and blaming the wind, which in fairness flipped the final session on its head on the outskirts of Budapest.
Fears for F1 race with circuit damaged by raging storms as floodwater rips up part of the track
Monegasque driver Leclerc even laughed when he was told on the team radio he secured pole, saying: "Whaaaaaaaaat?!"
He added afterwards: 'Today I don't understand anything in Formula 1! Honestly, the whole qualifying has been extremely difficult.
'Honestly, I have no words. It's probably one of the best pole positions that I've ever had, because it's the most unexpected, for sure.'
Piastri and Norris both blamed the wind, with the Brit saying: 'From how our form is, then of course (it's disappointing), but I think Charles did a good job on the last lap.
'He probably risked a little bit more in these conditions. The wind changed a lot and it really seemed to punish us in a bigger way it seems.'
Aussie driver Piastri added: "I think the wind changed a lot. It always sounds so pathetic, blaming things on the wind, but the wind basically did a 180 from Q1 to Q3.'
There was more frustration for Mercedes as Italian 18-year-old Kimi Anontelli was out in Q2, having to settle for 15th on the grid for Sunday's race.
Meanwhile, George Russell gave Toto Wolff's team a glimmer of hope, lining up in fourth-place on the grid for the race while Mac Verstappen who has been struggling all weekend came in eighth.
Red Bull's Yuki Tsundoa was the biggest casualty from the first session as he was eliminated in 16th.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Footy star reveals the shocking job he had to do to get enough money to afford nappies for his newborn baby despite being contracted to an NRL club
Cronulla star Sione Katoa is flying high in 2025, but the hulking winger has revealed he struggled for money so badly early in his NRL career that he had to collect cans and bottles for recycling just to make ends meet. Katoa, born in Hamilton, NZ, has played on the wing for the Sharks at NRL level since 2018, making 120 appearances and scoring 79 tries. Internationally, he represented Tonga between 2022–24 and in the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s, earning four Test caps and three appearances in the 9s tournament. His journey to the NRL began when he was just six years old and his family moved to Australia, setting roots in Sydney's west in Granville. Katoa was always the naturally gifted one amongst his friends in Sydney, dominating basketball contests that would stretch until 1am at the local youth centre because they had 'nothing better to do'. 'The youth centre days were some of the best, most fun days I've had in my life,' he said. 'If I did go to school, that's where I would be after. If I didn't go to school, that's where I would be. If I didn't go to school, it was because I would stay until 12 or 1 in the morning playing basketball. 'I can honestly say that place helped me a lot, looking back now.' It helped them stay on the rails in a tough environment, with many of their peers living on the street, getting involved with drugs and facing a bleak future. Eventually, Katoa's athletic talents were noticed by the Cronulla Sharks, and he was offered a minimum wage contract to start in 2018 when he was just 20 years old. 'Coming through I didn't think "I want to play NRL", it just slowly happened,' he said. 'I enjoyed it, I had fun and that's how I got there.' However, his rags-to-riches story didn't quite play out that way in the beginning. While Katoa grew up poor and humble, he now had a young family to feed and the first contract he signed with the Sharks didn't go far in the gentrified Shire. Once a surfer's hangout, Cronulla became a coastal paradise with luxury homes lining the foreshore, and Katoa spoke about what he needed to do just to make ends meet after leaving Sydney's inner west for the Shire. 'I got married young,' he told the Bros and Cons podcast, hosted by friends he has known since childhood. 'Because I got my wife pregnant. In the Tongan culture, we got married. 'So we had a little wedding and then we had a newborn and then I had to move into the Shire.' That was the moment Katoa realised the road to the NRL was not paved with gold. 'It was my first time moving out of home,' he said. 'At that time, my contract was not that much. The minimum was about $60k [a year] or something. 'When you move to the Shire, you've got to pay rent, bills and all these [expenses].' Katoa quickly realised that the $60,000 contract was not going to stretch far enough once all those bills were factored in. 'There was a time I had to collect the 10-cent bottles [for recycling].' It would have been a strange sight for locals, to see a towering Tongan NRL star walking the streets and collecting rubbish for money. So he collected the bottles and cans under the cover of darkness. 'I would wait until Tuesday nights, that was bin night,' Katoa said. 'I would wait until it gets dark. So that is what I was doing that time when it got hard. 'In Cronulla, there is a lot of drinking. There is a lot of partying. 'So I would wait until 11pm, 12am at night to go out because I was scared people might see me. I was shy to show my face [while] I am doing this. 'But at home, I just needed money.' Things got so bad that Katoa and his young wife Taufa ran out of money for essentials like nappies and formula for their child Keziah. 'I knew every street, where the jackpot was, cases of [empty] beer [bottles],' he said, able to laugh about it now. 'I was probably the only one doing it at that time. 'Some nights I would have my daughter in the car with me sleeping. 'I would fill these bags up, stack them up on top of my car. 'My wife would tell me that is enough, come home.' Highlighting how much extra work Katoa was doing to bring in extra income, the Sharks winger said he would bring home at least $200 from his Tuesday-night scavenges - collecting an average of 2000 bottles. 'That's a story that, I never want to tell it. Because I feel embarrassed.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK drivers could face £200 fines for come action under little-known Highway Code rule
As traffic enforcement becomes stricter and roads more heavily monitored, motorists are being cautioned against making this potentially costly mistake that many drivers believe is just good manners An expert has warned Brit drivers who flash their headlights at road users that they could be fined — or face even stiffer penalties — under a little-known rule in the Highway Code. Highway Code Rule 110 expressly states: "Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there." A great many motorists see flashing their headlights as a way of saying 'thank you', warning other drivers about speed cameras, or indicating that you are giving way at a junction. But according to Rule 110, these actions are technically illegal and could result in fines and penalty points on your licence. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. It further warns drivers not to flash headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users. Virtually every common use of flashing headlights, beyond alerting one's presence, is therefore against the rules. Penalties depend on the reason behind the flashing. For general misuse like giving way or signalling thanks, motorists risk fines between £100 and £200 plus three to six penalty points for careless driving. However, flashing headlights to warn others about police presence or speed traps carries a much heavier risk. This can be prosecuted as "wilfully obstructing a constable" under Section 89 of the Police Act 1996, with fines reaching up to £1,000. Car finance expert from Simple PCP Claims, Tom Riley, said: "Most drivers flash their lights with good intentions, thinking they're being helpful. But the law is crystal clear, you can only flash your headlights to alert others to your presence. Anything else could technically land you in hot water." This legal framework comes from the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, and although breaking the Highway Code itself is not always a criminal offence, police can issue penalties if misuse causes danger or obstructs law enforcement. The Crown Prosecution Service specifically highlights that "giving a warning to other motorists of a police speed trap ahead" constitutes obstruction, making this practice a target for authorities. While prosecution for common "polite" flashing is rare, it's wiser to follow the rules and avoid the risk. Public confusion arises because flashing headlights has long been ingrained in British driving culture as a form of polite communication learned during driving lessons or from experienced drivers. However, the rules are explicit that such use is illegal. Rule 111 reinforces this by advising: "Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully." Safety experts also warn against misuse of headlight flashing because it can lead to misunderstandings or accidents. Scams such as 'Flash-for-Cash' have been widely reported, where criminals flash lights to trick drivers into pulling out at junctions, only to deliberately cause collisions and claim fraudulent insurance payouts. The legal consequences of improper flashing can be significant. Tom Riley explained: "The £200 fine might not sound enormous, but add penalty points and you're looking at a serious hit to your driving record. For drivers who warn others about speed traps, that £1,000 maximum penalty could be financially devastating. The safest approach is simple, only flash when you genuinely need to alert someone to your presence."
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Lando Norris shares kiss with on-off model girlfriend Margarida Corceiro following Hungarian Grand Prix win - a day after going public again
Lando Norris delivered a masterclass at the Hungaroring, holding off team-mate Oscar Piastri to claim victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Brit notched his fifth win of the 2025 season and a vital haul as he closed the championship gap to just nine points going into the summer break. Norris celebrated the result by planting a celebratory kiss on his long-time on-and-off girlfriend Margarida Corceiro, as the Portuguese model looked on proudly in parc ferme after the race. After months away from the public eye, the pair returned to the paddock again on Saturday, turning up together before qualifying. Norris and Margarida attended events together throughout much of 2024 before reports claimed that the pair had ended their short-term relationship. Speculation emerged that the pair were dating again after they were spotted together at various public events over the last year including the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2024. Margarida sat alongside Norris' mum, Cisca Wauman, to cheer on her other half to victory at the Monaco Grand Prix back this May, causing dating rumours to heat up again. Margarida, 22 hails from Santarem in Portugal and has amassed a colossal social media following, boasting over two million Instagram followers and more than 800,000 fans on TikTok. As an actress, she has appeared in Portuguese television dramas and is regularly featured in campaigns, including stints for Intimissimi and Alo Yoga. Margarida was a contestant in the country's version of Dancing with the Stars back in 2020. She also co-founded the eco-conscious swimwear brand Missus and has graced the pages of Vogue Portugal. Previously romantically linked with Portuguese footballer Joao Felix from 2019 to 2023, Margarida began dating Norris in May 2023, shortly after his split from Portuguese model Luisinha Oliveira. They had dated for a similar timeframe as Norris and Margarida before ending their romantic association, with the McLaren main man at the time posted a heartfelt break-up message on social media. 'After time and consideration, Luisa and myself have mutually decided to end our romantic relationship but remain good friends,' Norris posted at the time of his split from Luisinha. In August 2024, at the time of the Dutch Grand Prix, Norris appeared to confirm that he was single. When asked if he wanted a dog he said cooly: 'I don't have time for a dog. If I do, I need a girlfriend, I don't have one.' But now, the couple have settled their difference and are back on. On track, Norris still sits second in the Drivers' Championship with 250 points, just 16 points adrift of his team-mate Oscar Piastri as the season hits mid-point. Meanwhile, McLaren are runaway leaders in the Constructors' Championship, leading Ferrari in second by 268 points as they seek back-to-back titles.
