Lewis Hamilton's mindset made clear in boss' six-word statement after alarming comments

Ferarri boss Frederic Vasseur has opened up on Lewis Hamilton's state of mind following the star's most challenging weekend of the campaign so far at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The iconic British driver was knocked out during Q2 on Saturday and couldn't advance from his P12 starting position during Sunday'srace.

Following qualifying, Hamilton delivered a worrying interview, urging Ferrari to "change driver" if they wish for a better outcome and described his single-lap displays as "absolutely useless".

Hamilton'sFerarri dream is quickly souring and Vasseur has now issued a six-word statement on his driver, claiming: "Honestly, he's frustrated, but not demotivated." Hamilton's spirits remained low on Sunday as well, delivering a string of dejected interviews after coming outside the points-scoring positions.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton torn apart as Italian media turn on Ferrari star after Hungary GP nightmare

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton trashed as Bernie Ecclestone comments on doing a deal with Christian Horner

In contrast, the Briton's teammate, Charles Leclerc, claimed his maiden pole position of the yearand secured a P4 result, just missing out on a podium finish after battling McLaren for victory during the opening portion of the race.

Understandably, the atmosphere within the Ferrari garage was sombre following the Hungarian GP and Vasseur was questioned regarding the remarks from his star driver after the race.

"I don't need to motivate him," he said, before admitting Hamilton is smiply frustrated. He added: "Yeah, he's demanding."

Continuing, the 57-year-old said: "But I think it's also why he's seven-times world champion. He's demanding with the team, with the car, with the engineers, with the mechanics, with myself as well.

"I can perfectly understand the situation. Sometimes you are making comments on what the driver is saying [in] the car, but if you put the microphone on some other sportsmen in football and so on, I'm not sure that it would be much better.

"Sometimes, just after the race or just after qualifying, you are very disappointed, and the first reaction is harsh. I can understand the frustration, but we are all frustrated. Sometimes, if you ask me, if I say [what I want] I will go to the stewards."

Hamilton's miserable weekend means that he now trails Leclerc by 42 points in the standings reports the Express. Worse still, this is the longest run without a podium in the 40-year-old's glittering career.

These results, combined with a podium for George Russell, mean that Mercedes have closed the gap to Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship to just 24 points.

The Stevenage-born driver wasn't the only former champion to struggle on Sunday. Max Verstappen's faint Drivers' Championship title hopes were extinguished in dramatic fashion as he crossed the line down in ninth, while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri sealed the top two positions.