Lewis Hamilton 'worrying F1 paddock' after Brit's latest comments at Ferrari

Some members of the F1 paddock are concerned about Lewis Hamilton and his increasingly downbeat nature, according to former racing driver Tom Kristensen. Hamilton has endured a tough start to life at Ferrari and sits 42 points behind Charles Leclerc in the individual standings. He recently had a nightmare weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break.

Hamilton qualified in 12th place, being dumped out in Q2 while Leclerc got himself on pole. After the session, the Brit described himself as 'useless' and even suggested that Ferrari should replace him with another driver. In the race, he failed to make up any positions in the race and was lapped for the first time in three years.

Kristensen, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on nine occasions, has claimed that some people in the paddock are getting worried about Hamilton.

"I have the deepest respect for people putting their hand up like that and of course, a seven-time world champion doing that," said Kristensen on the F1 Nation podcast.

"But on the other hand, they don't race on fuel, they race on self-confidence. So, to have it all there, I think it gets a little bit under his skin, unfortunately.

"I want to see him do well and I hope he really finds his mojo, but people in the paddock, they worry about Lewis. He 100 per cent has a contract for next year. Ferrari wants him to do well the most."

Kristensen also spotted something after the Hungarian Grand Prix which he thought said it all about Hamilton's lack of self-confidence.

"He goes to a circuit where he has eight wins, nine poles and if he's not winning, he's definitely always on the podium, like last year," added the Dane.

"It must be really hard, and to see Lewis lining up after the race when he has to get weighed, he kept his helmet on. There were five or six drivers in front of him who had to get weighed before. I think he takes it hard on himself and it's tough to see."

It comes after former F1 driver Christian Danner accused Hamilton of being overly dramatic with his comments at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

"He punishes himself so much, pretends to have forgotten how to drive... that almost looked a little exaggerated to me," said Danner on AvD Motorsport Talk.

"It was like staging a little more than it actually is to sensitise the world, which knows [Hamilton is] not that bad. I'm pretty sure that was wanted by Hamilton and wasn't honest. He didn't honestly doubt himself. It can't be, it doesn't fit in with him."

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