Lewis Hamilton didn't hold back after a frustrating qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, branding his performance as "useless" as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc stole the spotlight with a stunning pole position.
The seven-time world champion struggled to find pace in his Mercedes, finishing seventh on the grid—a far cry from his usual dominance. "It was a terrible session," Hamilton admitted. "I just couldn't get the tyres to work. It's frustrating, but we'll have to fight back tomorrow."
Leclerc Shines Under Pressure
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc delivered a masterclass in precision, securing pole with a blistering lap that left his rivals trailing. The Ferrari driver outpaced Red Bull's Max Verstappen by just 0.03 seconds in a nail-biting finish.
"The car felt amazing today," Leclerc said. "It's been a tricky weekend, but we pulled it together when it mattered. Now, the focus is on converting this into a win."
Mercedes' Struggles Continue
Mercedes' woes deepened as George Russell could only manage fourth, leaving the team with an uphill battle for Sunday's race. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the challenges but remained hopeful. "We know where we're losing time," he said. "The race is long, and anything can happen."
With rain forecast for race day, strategy and tyre management could play a decisive role—giving Hamilton a glimmer of hope for redemption.
