Wolff Defends Hamilton as Red Bull Faces Setback in Hungary

Toto Wolff issued a robust defense of Lewis Hamilton following a challenging Hungarian Grand Prix, while Red Bull grappled with a significant setback. Based on in-depth analysis, this article summarizes global media reactions to the dramatic race, won by Lando Norris.

Transitioning to the key highlights, McLaren’s victory and the struggles of Hamilton and Max Verstappen dominated international coverage.

Lando Norris secured an unexpected victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix through a daring one-stop strategy, recovering from fifth place after the opening lap. He fended off a late charge from teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished second and leads the drivers’ championship by nine points heading into the summer break. George Russell completed the podium in third for Mercedes, showcasing the team’s strong performance.

Meanwhile, Hamilton and Verstappen faced tough races, finishing 12th and ninth, respectively. These results underscored significant challenges for Ferrari and Red Bull at Hungaroring.

Hamilton appeared dejected after qualifying and the race, calling himself “useless” and suggesting Ferrari might need a new driver. In response, Wolff, Hamilton’s former boss at Mercedes, offered a staunch defense. “Never write Lewis Hamilton off,” Wolff told the media. He emphasized that Hamilton, the “greatest of all time,” remains dominant on good weekends and excels in the season’s second half. Wolff attributed Hamilton’s comments to raw emotion after underperforming.

Conversely, outlets like The Washington Post highlighted Hamilton’s remarks about “a lot going on in the background,” sparking speculation without further clarification. Ferrari remains confident, with team principal Fred Vasseur noting Hamilton is frustrated but not demotivated.

Red Bull endured a torrid weekend in Hungary. Verstappen, starting eighth, finished ninth and described the car as “not working.” Dutch publication De Telegraaf focused on the team’s struggles, while Red Bull’s Helmut Marko admitted they had identified issues with the RB21, though solutions were incomplete.

Red Bull’s failure to resolve their car’s issues drew attention, especially given their dominance earlier in the season. This result tightened the championship battle, with McLaren capitalizing on the opportunity.

McLaren’s victory signals strong momentum heading into the summer break, while Hamilton and Verstappen are expected to rebound in the latter half of 2025. Wolff’s support underscores Hamilton’s potential to return to form with the right car. Red Bull, however, must urgently address technical issues to maintain their championship challenge.