Lewis Hamilton suggests Ferrari now needs to replace him
The seven-time world champion will start 12th for Sunday's contest at the Hungaroring, while Ferrari stablemate Leclerc stormed to pole with his final lap in Q3.
It continues a very disappointing 2025 campaign so far for Hamilton, who is sixth in the championship and has been regularly beaten by fifth-placed Leclerc.
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F1 2025 qualifying head-to-head: Hungarian GP
Hamilton, who immediately reacted via team radio saying 'every time, every time', was visibly annoyed in his post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1 and offered very little words, which went as follows:
Q: 'Hi Lewis, can I just ask you the radio message 'every time, every time', what that was about?'LH: 'Oh it's me every time.'Q: 'Yeah, so your qualifying, I know you've been upset by it before, frustrated by it before, is that what it is? Is it your qualifying, your Saturdays or?'LH: 'Yeah, useless, absolutely useless.'Q: 'Anything, any answers anywhere? This car, they're trying to get this car in a better position for you.'LH: 'The team has no problem, you've seen the car is on pole, so we probably need to change driver.'
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Hamilton then explained to print media that 'not once this weekend' did he feel he was on for a better result, despite holding a record eight victories at the Hungaroring.
He still acknowledged that qualifying was 'amazing for the team' as Leclerc's pole came as a shock after championship leaders McLaren topped every session until Q3 - citing 'big progress' for Ferrari.
Photos from Hungarian GP - Practice & Qualifying
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren and Margarida Corceiro
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Fans
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Bernie Ecclestone
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren and Lily Zneimer
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Alexander Albon, Williams
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Andrea Diodato / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Guido De Bortoli
George Russell, Mercedes
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Guido De Bortoli
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Guido De Bortoli
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Guido De Bortoli
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari with his girlfriend, Alexandra Saint Mleux
Kym Illman / Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
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Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Ferrari
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Clive Rose / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto via Getty Images
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