Hamilton admits he wasn't at his best after Dutch GP outburst

Lewis Hamilton has openly acknowledged that his comments during the Dutch Grand Prix did not reflect his best self. The seven‑time world champion, now driving for Ferrari, admitted that his frustration over team‑mate Charles Leclerc’s actions on track caused him to speak harshly on the radio and in post‑race interviews.

Hamilton’s irritation stemmed from a moment in Zandvoort when Leclerc, running a different strategy, held him up, costing precious seconds that Hamilton believes ultimately denied him a podium finish. He ultimately crossed the line in fourth place, just behind George Russell, after an intense battle in which he was unable to overtake the Mercedes driver. In the heat of the race, Hamilton’s radio messages were sharp, reflecting his belief that Ferrari had not cleared a path for him while allowing the Silver Arrows to dictate terms for their own drivers. He later compared Ferrari’s hesitation to the decisive team orders Mercedes gave earlier in the race, which instructed Russell to let championship leader Kimi Antonelli pass.

That contrast highlighted Hamilton’s frustration with what he perceived as inconsistent race‑craft from his new team. After the weekend, Hamilton posted an introspective note on Instagram, saying, "I've listened back to some of my radio and TV comments. In the heat of the moment frustration can come out, especially when you care as deeply as I do. But that wasn't the best version of me.

I take responsibility for that, and I'll be better." The former Mercedes driver emphasized that his outburst was driven by passion for the team and a desire to see Ferrari compete at the front, but he also recognized the need for personal composure. The race result widened the gap between Hamilton and championship leader Antonelli, increasing the points deficit to 59. It also saw Ferrari slip to third in the drivers’ standings, behind Russell, who now shares the same points total as Hamilton but holds the advantage on count‑back due to more race wins.

Despite the setback, Hamilton remained optimistic about the title fight, declaring that the battle for the championship "is absolutely still on". He praised the dedication of the Ferrari staff, both at the factory and on the pit wall, noting that the team’s development work—such as the new floor and diffuser introduced at Zandvoort—had earned his respect. "I'm incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory who continues to bring updates, find performance and push us forward," Hamilton said.

"To the team at the track, thank you. The commitment and effort never go unnoticed.

We still have work to do, particularly over one lap, but we'll keep digging in, learning and improving together." His comments underscored a belief that the car’s pace was improving, even if execution on race day sometimes fell short. Former teammate Nico Rosberg, now a Sky Sports F1 analyst, echoed Hamilton’s concerns, urging Ferrari to tighten up their race‑day execution.

Rosberg highlighted that Ferrari has been consistently in the top five of the constructors’ championship, yet the team often leaves points on the table due to small mistakes. He cited recent races, including Hungary, where he felt Hamilton could have won if circumstances had aligned, and noted that while Ferrari’s qualifying pace may have lagged, the car was competitive in race trim. "They keep on just not maximising weekends and that's how Lewis seems a bit frustrated, and also Charles.

Both of them," Rosberg said. "It's very little things that seem to add up all the time.

So they've got to improve that and on the execution side just nail it because they can really, just with that, get much better results." Leclerc finished just behind Hamilton in fifth place, while the Ferrari team’s lead over Mercedes in the constructors’ championship shrank to 87 points. The race, won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, marked Hamilton’s third consecutive Grand Prix without a podium, a streak that has added pressure to his title aspirations. Nevertheless, Hamilton’s message to fans was one of gratitude and determination: "Thank you for sticking with us and with me.

We'll keep building, keep pushing and keep fighting." Looking ahead, the F1 calendar moves to Monza for Ferrari’s home Grand Prix on September 4‑6, a race that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. The Italian fans will have a chance to see how the team’s recent aerodynamic upgrades perform on the high‑speed circuit, and whether the lessons learned from Zandvoort can translate into a stronger result.

Hamilton’s renewed focus on teamwork, combined with the technical progress Ferrari has shown, suggests that the upcoming race could be a turning point in the championship battle. In summary, Hamilton’s candid admission that his Dutch GP comments were not his finest moment reflects both his competitive spirit and his willingness to own his mistakes. While the frustration was understandable given the on‑track incident with Leclerc, his commitment to improving his own conduct and to helping Ferrari refine its race strategy signals that the fight for the 2026 title remains very much alive. The next few races, especially the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, will be crucial in determining whether Ferrari can convert its technical gains into consistent podium finishes and whether Hamilton can reclaim his place among the sport’s elite contenders.