Hamilton labelled as 'not up to standards' amid woeful final result in Hungary

19:29, 06 Aug

byTobia Elia

Giancarlo Minardi labeled Lewis Hamilton’s Hungarian Grand Prix weekend as below par, with the seven-time world champion failing to finish in the points after being knocked out in Q2 with the 12th fastest time in qualifying.

This past weekend in Hungary drew plenty of criticism toward Lewis Hamilton, as the Brit once again failed to deliver a noteworthy result.

Unlike his teammate, who claimed the team’s first pole of the season and fought for the win until late-race issues emerged, Hamilton was never a real factor in the race, spending much of it stuck in traffic and unable to make an impact.

Lewis Hamilton in Hungary

Minardi judges Hamilton's weekend as 'not up to standard'

According to Giancarlo Minardi — the historic founder of the team that eventually evolved into today’s Racing Bulls — the Briton’s performance was simply insufficient.

“(Lewis) is not up to standard, because after all, he’s a seven-time world champion,'' he told via motorsport.it. ''He’s still shown flashes of that seven-time world champion talent at times. I’m giving him a five out of ten, because I think even that might do him good during these few weeks of holiday.''

According to the Italian manager, Hamilton is already in the declining phase of his career, and in moments like these, the mental aspect is crucial.

He added: ''He’s undoubtedly in the declining phase of what has been a wonderful and remarkable career. But remember — as I’ve always said — the mind is crucial, especially in a championship as competitive as this one.''

''It’s very easy to make small, simple mistakes that may not even be visible without a slow-motion replay or live footage. But unfortunately, even tiny errors — ones that even a seven-time world champion can make — can be decisive.''

''I wish him a good rest; he has the chance to hit the reset button and face the final part of this intense championship on circuits where he can make a difference, lift his spirits, and hopefully score some key points for Ferrari.''

Finally, Minardi believes that Ferrari will need a better Lewis to secure at least P2 in the constructors: ''if the team wants to at least secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship, especially with Mercedes on the rise, they’ll need his contribution.”

After 14 Grands Prix, Hamilton sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, having lost another 12 points to his teammate, who now leads him by a full 42 points.