Lewis Hamilton's rocky beginning with Ferrari worsened at Zandvoort after a costly accident.

Lewis Hamilton's rocky beginning with Ferrari worsened at Zandvoort after a costly accident.

The 40-year-old entered the summer break admitting he felt "useless" and even sparking talk of retirement, but came back determined to rediscover some enjoyment.

In the Netherlands, he appeared more lively and combative, yet still lagged behind Charles Leclerc before ending his race in the barriers.

"Apart from that, it was a really solid weekend," the seven-time world champion insisted. "I feel like we've made real progress, but it's also not normal for me to crash out of a race. I can't say much more than that."

Ralf Schumacher, never shy of criticism, told Sky Deutschland: "In German racing jargon, you'd say that was first-grade elementary school.

"I'm slowly becoming perplexed. On the one hand, he can do it, but he's putting himself under immense pressure. If something doesn't happen soon, he might be better off not continuing," said the German. "It's tragic to see him like this."

Italian writer Leo Turrini echoed those sentiments in his Quotidiano column: "A bad car isn't Hamilton's fault, but it is Hamilton's fault that he crashed all by himself.

"So the question returns - does Lewis still believe in it, or has he mentally pulled the plug, saturated with glory and money?"

Broader Italian media joined in, hinting that Hamilton's early Ferrari backing may already be wavering.

La Gazzetta dello Sport blasted: "Ferrari is devastated, Hamilton is disastrous - a serious and unusual mistake."

Corriere della Sera was no softer: "Hamilton's mistake was unforgivable, and with a five-place grid penalty for Monza, is the dream already over?"

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