Lewis Hamilton’s dramatic self-criticism during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend didn’t sit well with everyone – especially not with former Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner.
The outspoken ex-Haas team boss has called out the Briton for his gloomy reaction to a tough qualifying stretch, arguing that the seven-time world champion’s mindset was defeatist and unworthy of his elite status.
Hamilton’s struggles on the track have been evident in the lead-up to F1’s summer break. The Ferrari driver endured a challenging period, failing to progress to Q3 in three consecutive qualifying sessions.
At the Hungaroring, he qualified in a disappointing 12th place, while his Scuderia teammate Charles Leclerc secured pole position, a shortfall that prompted a striking downbeat reaction from the record 105-time Grand Prix winner.
“It’s just me every time,” he said. “I’m useless, absolutely useless. Team has no problem, you’ve seen the car’s on pole. They probably need to change driver.”
While fans quickly rallied around the 40-year-old on social media, Steiner wasn’t among them.
“How can you say that?”
Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner made clear his disapproval of Hamilton’s emotional implosion – not because of his performance, but because of the message it sends.
“How can you come out as being seven-time World Champion saying, ‘I’m useless’?” Steiner said.
“That was, it’s not his performance. I do not care about that. I’m not going into his performance. He’s struggling.
©Ferrari
“At some stage in our life, we all struggle a little bit. I still struggle, so I always struggle, but coming out and saying, ‘oh, I’m useless’… That’s the wrong attitude.
“I don’t like the attitude of giving up, you know, or it’s an attitude that people should feel sorry for you.”
Steiner made it clear he wasn’t attacking Hamilton’s driving ability – far from it – but felt a champion of his caliber should channel adversity much differently.
“For me, it’s like if I’m seven times World Champion, I’ve got enough confidence that I know that I’m not useless,” he added. “I just need to work harder and going back to get my mojo back. It’s one of these things.”
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“A few weeks ago, [Hamilton was] sitting down the engineers telling them what to do and now you’re coming back and saying, ‘I’m useless’.
“It’s just focus on what you’re good at, which is driving a race car, because he’s good. He’s a seven-time World Champion.
“That’s the wrong attitude. Just feeling sorry for yourself.”
Hamilton’s Response: “Don’t count me out”
Hamilton has since tempered his tone. By Monday morning following the Hungarian GP, he issued a more measured message to fans and critics alike.
“I’ll be using the time to reset, recharge and come back stronger,” he posted. “I’m not where I want to be yet, but the fight’s not over – don’t count me out.”
©Ferrari
While the emotional honesty may have humanized Hamilton in the eyes of many, Steiner’s comments offer a blunt reminder of the high standards, both mental and physical, expected of a driver with such a legacy.
With Hamilton still winless and podium-less since joining Ferrari and sitting sixth in the standings, 42 points behind teammate Leclerc, the pressure is only growing.
Whether he returns from the summer break with renewed fire, or fresh doubts, could define the second half of his debut season in red.
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