Brundle: Hamilton’s Hungarian GP remarks were ‘best unsaid’

Last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix marked a somber chapter in Lewis Hamilton’s illustrious Formula 1 career, with the seven-time world champion’s self-critical comments sparking concern and debate across the paddock.

Sky F1’s Martin Brundle described the Ferrari driver’s post-qualifying doom and gloom – where he labeled himself “useless” and suggested Ferrari replace him – as a moment that would have been “better left unsaid”.

The remarks, coupled with a lackluster 12th-place finish at a track where Hamilton holds a record eight victories, inevitabley fueled speculation about his future in the sport, with Brundle’s Sky Germany colleague Ralf Schumacher suggesting retirement could be on the horizon.

“He was down. I found it a difficult watch,” Brundle said. “I wish we could rewind and edit that out for him because that will play out for a very long time. It was best unsaid.

“But that was his feeling and he wears his heart on his sleeve. Charles being on pole in the other Ferrari? That is salt in his wounds.”

Retirement Talk Resurfaces

Hamilton’s post-race comments included the cryptic line, “Hopefully I’ll be back”, an equivocal remark picked up by Schumacher who believes that Hamilton could “absolutely” throw in the towel and retire from F1.

“Lewis is a very wealthy man. He might just say, ‘Alright, I’ll do something else. I’ll just make films now’”, Schumacher said.

“That’s going well too – he’s involved in that new F1 movie. ‘Why should I keep putting myself through this?’ And that’s a process that, at 40, is not far-fetched. You don’t have to spend your life driving in circles.”

Schumacher, who previously faced criticism for suggesting Hamilton might retire, now sees validation in the champion’s own words.

“So yes – based on his statements, I could absolutely see him doing that. You know we’ve covered that only three months ago, when everybody was criticising us – me especially – why I think Lewis could retire. But now he is talking about that himself. Something has happened.”

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But Schumacher also suggested that a single breakthrough moment could reignite Hamilton’s passion, likening it to a footballer breaking a scoring drought.

“I think if he manages to turn things around, then it’s old news,” he said.

“Sometimes it only takes one, two situations that can carry you going forward, that make you enjoy it again.

“Maybe it’s like in soccer when you score a goal after a long time without a hit.

“This is the one ultimate lap for a racing driver – to achieve that lap and win a podium that nobody believed you could do. When this happens, fine. But if not, then I wouldn’t rule out Lewis quitting at the end of the year.”

The back half of the 2025 F1 season could prove pivotal for Hamilton – not just for his current campaign, but for the question of whether he will even be on the grid in 2026.

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