Hamilton frustrated after difficult Hungarian Grand Prix
The seven-times world champion cut a despondent figure, giving terse replies to media questions about the race and his earlier words, but confirmed he would return after the August break.
"I look forward to coming back," he said.
"Hopefully, I will be back."
On Saturday Hamilton had told reporters that "it's me every time. I'm useless, absolutely useless" and said Ferrari "probably need to change driver".
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur said Hamilton, the most successful F1 driver of all time but lapped on Sunday, was demanding of everyone but most of all of himself.
He said it was a tough situation to be 12th on the grid at a circuit where he has won a record eight times and been on pole nine, when teammate Charles Leclerc qualified in first place.
"I can understand the frustration from Lewis. This is normal," added the Frenchman.
"We will be back and we will perform.
"I don't need to motivate him. He's frustrated, but not demotivated. It's a completely different story."
Leclerc finished fourth after leading for much of the race.
Hamilton's former Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also spoke out strongly in the 40-year-old Briton's defence, calling his Saturday comments "Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve".
"It was very raw. It was out of himself and we had it in the past when he felt he underperformed his own expectations," said the Austrian.
"He's been that emotional and emotionally transparent since he was a young boy, a young adult. He's got to beat himself up.
"He's the GOAT (greatest of all time) and will always be the GOAT and nobody's going to take that away."
Wolff said he was sure Hamilton had unfinished business in Formula One, after losing controversially in 2021 what would have been a record eighth title, and had what it takes.
"He shouldn't go anywhere next year," said the Mercedes boss.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
8 minutes ago
- IOL News
Court hits the brakes: Mercedes repossesses R1. 6m GLE after owner's 6-year legal joyride
The North Gauteng High Court has ordered that Mercedes-Benz can repossess a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S AMG valued at over R1.6 million after its owner defaulted on payments and ignored a settlement agreement. Image: Ron | IOL The North Gauteng High Court has ordered that Mercedes-Benz can repossess a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S AMG valued at over R1.6 million after its owner defaulted on payments and ignored a settlement agreement. The six-year battle over the car was not straightforward. Leruma Thobejane, who represented himself in court while fully robed, alleged that Mercedes-Benz 'had fraudulently approached the court for the issuing of a warrant for delivery of the vehicle in September 2023, whilst being fully aware that that matter was on appeal before the Supreme Court of Appeal'. In the order, the judge found that 'in my view the warrant was issued in terms of the court order, and not in breach thereof'. The court noted that Thobejane had failed to meet his payment obligations. 'The respondent however did not dispute the allegations in the applicant's attorney's affidavit that he breached the settlement order, and that he did not make the required payments in terms thereof,' the ruling stated. The judge added: 'The applicant has already been waiting for payment in terms of the settlement agreement since September 30, 2021, and the respondent remains in possession of the vehicle. In my view relief that the applicant is entitled to, should not further be frustrated by reason the applicant's attorney's reliance on an incorrect subrule.' Thobejane was partially successful in having a previous warrant of execution set aside. However, ultimately, the court authorised Mercedes-Benz to repossess the vehicle under its latest ruling. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The dispute dates back to 2019, when Mercedes-Benz Finance instituted proceedings against Thobejane after he defaulted on payments for the vehicle. The credit agreement stipulated ownership would remain with Mercedes-Benz Finance until full payment was made. It also provided that, in the event of default, the company could cancel the agreement, repossess the vehicle, and claim any shortfall after resale. Despite demands, Thobejane fell into arrears, owing more than R1.36m by the time summons were issued. After litigation and discovery, the parties reached a settlement in August 2021, which was made an order of court in March 2023. The settlement agreement required Thobejane to make five consecutive monthly payments totalling R1.5m plus interest and costs. It included a clause that if he breached the payment terms, the full outstanding balance would immediately become due, and Mercedes-Benz Finance could apply for judgment and repossession – rights to which Thobejane consented. IOL
TimesLIVE
38 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
Hamilton still battling speculation, but this time self-inflicted
Formula One's August break will be a welcome getaway for Lewis Hamilton after he triggered fresh speculation about his Ferrari future with self-critical and cryptic comments in Hungary at the weekend. The most successful Formula One driver, with seven world championships and a record 105 wins, has had a tough start to his time at Maranello and is yet to stand on the podium in 14 races. The 40-year-old Briton has also been sending out conflicting messages, his season a roller-coaster of highs and lows — downbeat assessments and despondency followed by peaks of elation and hope. In Canada in June he assured reporters he was at Ferrari for the long-term. 'To everyone writing stories of me considering not racing — I only just started with Ferrari,' he said at the time. 'There's no question where my head's at and what I'm working towards achieving with this team. So, there's zero doubts. Please stop making stuff up.' At the Hungaroring last Saturday, after qualifying 12th, he described himself as 'useless' and suggested Ferrari might want to replace him. Post-race, also 12th, Hamilton said there was a lot going on in the background — without explaining — and he looked forward to returning after the break — 'hopefully'.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Petrol goes down, but diesel goes up from this week
Several factors, including the international petroleum product prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the petrol prices. South African motorists using petrol-powered cars can breathe a sigh of relief with a decrease in petrol prices. However, diesel-powered cars will cost more to fill up due to an increase in both grades. The fuel prices are expected to take effect from midnight on Tuesday, 5 August. Petrol and diesel prices The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that both grades of petrol will decrease by 28 cents per litre. The price of diesel with 0.05% sulphur increases by 65 cents per litre, and 0.005% sulphur goes up by 63 cents per litre. ALSO READ: Don't laugh: F1 is coming to South Africa, McKenzie reiterates [VIDEO] Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost 32 cents more per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 69 cents per kg country-wide, except in the Western Cape, where it'll decrease by 78 cents per kilogram Reasons for the increase DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake stated that several factors, including international petroleum product prices and the rand-US dollar (USD) exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices.
