Lewis Hamilton has been criticised by Italian media outlets following his disappointing time at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The Briton qualified 12th and, on Sunday, ended up finishing in that position as Lando Norris beat Oscar Piastri and George Russell to secure glory.
Hamilton cut a downbeat figure during his time in Budapest, with the 40-year-old setting off alarm bells.
He admitted that he should potentially be replaced given his dire form, declared himself 'useless' and said there was 'a lot going in the background that is not great'.
Lewis Hamilton has been criticised by Italian media outlets following his disappointing time at the Hungarian Grand Prix
|REUTERS
Now, Italian media publications have stuck the knife into the Stevenage-born racer.
Corriere della Sera described him as a 'schoolboy reluctantly dragged out from behind the chalkboard'.
They said: "A master of communication who now struggles to find the words, alternating between disheartening statements and hollow clichés. Lewis looks like a schoolboy reluctantly dragged out from behind the chalkboard—desperately in need of a trip to anywhere without corners, kerbs, or people dressed in red."
Gazzetta dello Sport also criticised Hamilton, saying he looks 'downcast and demoralised'.
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They stated: "Starting 12th, finishing 12th. He had never looked so downcast and demoralised. Setting aside the troubles of the SF-25, he needs to shake it off. Ferrari needs the real Lewis."
As for Repubblica, that outlet gave him a four out of 10 for the weekend.
They said: "Starting 12th, finishing 12th — a flat-line performance. His Saturday remarks made waves: a self-admission that he’s the wrong kind of driver and needs to change.''
"Sunday didn’t bring any improvement. He struggled, fought hard, but ultimately ended up sadly outside the points. Fans are left unsure what to make of it all."
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Lewis Hamilton could only finish 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix | GETTYFerrari had such high hopes for Hamilton when he joined.
However, as F1 drivers prepare for the summer break in the season, the veteran is yet to live up to expectations.
Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur was asked about Hamilton's negative comments following Sunday's disappointing display.
He insists he isn't too concerned, however, and believes the former Mercedes star is capable of bouncing back.
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"I don't need to motivate him, honestly," said the Ferrari team principal. "He's frustrated but not demotivated, it's a completely different story.
"Again, I can perfectly understand the situation and you can, sometimes you are making comments on what the driver is saying to the car, but if you put the microphone on some other sportsman in football and so on, I'm not sure that it would be much better.
"Sometimes they are making [rash] comments, even when they jump out of the car.
"I can understand the frustration, but we are all frustrated and sometimes if you ask me, I can't say this, I will go to the stewards.
Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur has defended Lewis Hamilton following his woes at the Hungarian Grand Prix | REUTERS"But sometimes just after the race, or just after the Quali, you are very disappointed and the reaction, the first reaction is harsh, but we all know that we are pushing in the same direction."
He continued: "Yes, he's demanding, but I think it's also why he is seven-time World Champion, that he is demanding with the team, with the car, with the engineers, with the mechanics, with myself also, but first of all he is very demanding with himself."