Lewis Hamilton has described his first season at Ferrari as a “nightmare” after he retired from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on lap 37.
The seven-time World Champion started from P13 after failing to reach the top 10 in Saturday’s qualifying session, while team mate Charles Leclerc qualified in third place.
“It’s a nightmare,” Hamilton said. “I’ve been living it for a while. The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team and then the nightmare of the results that we’ve had. We are just really having to fight through those hardships at the moment.
Lewis Hamilton calls first Ferrari season a “nightmare” after Sao Paulo Grand Prix retirement
“This weekend has been disastrous and disappointing for everyone. I am trying to keep my head above water and remain positive.”
Hamilton made a getaway at lights out but had to abandon an overtake attempt on Fernando Alonso at Turn 1. Carlos Sainz then made contact with the Ferrari’s rear wheel during the first lap chaos. Hamilton reported over the radio that the “rear’s not stable”.
The Briton then tapped the rear of Franco Colapinto’s Alpine when he misjudged an attempted pass, losing his front wing. Ferrari confirmed floor damage over the radio, which Hamilton managed for 37 laps before the team instructed him to retire the car.
“After the hit, it felt like the rear suspension was broken, but they said that it seemed to be alright,” Hamilton said. “But [there was] something, could be cross weight or something like that, and then there was the loss of downforce.”
“I think we were losing 30 or 40 points of downforce so when you were going through the high speed, the thing was snapping. I was giving everything to try and keep up with the guys ahead of me,” Hamilton explained.
Hamilton’s car slid across the track during the race, and he warned his race engineer that he felt on the verge of causing an accident.
Hamilton 66 points behind Leclerc
The retirement marks another result in a season where Hamilton sits sixth in the championship, 66 points behind Leclerc, and without a podium finish.
The race was won by Lando Norris, who extended his world championship lead to 24 points from McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri.
Hamilton remains determined that he and Ferrari will find their form as they look ahead to next season. “I believe there is something extraordinary up ahead in my life and in my destiny,” he said.
“I truly still believe in this team and what we can achieve together. I just have to keep pushing and keep giving them everything I can.”
Ferrari drop in constructors’ standings
Leclerc also retired due to damage caused by Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli’s collision. Ferrari have now dropped 36 points behind Mercedes and four points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings with three rounds remaining.
Hamilton added: “This is definitely a weekend to forget. It’s a shame because I love Brazil, and everyone in the team. Every single person in this team turns up every week and gives it their absolute best.
“To come away with nothing, to not finish a race for the second time in the year – it’s really devastating. I feel terrible for the team. I’m sorry for my part in Qualifying, putting myself in that position. We’ll get back up tomorrow and just give it another go.”
Norris tells critics to “ignore everyone that talks crap”
Norris won at Interlagos with a drive from pole position but hit out at questions raised about his ability to fight for a title. “Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you and focus on yourself,” he said of his approach since he came from behind to retake the lead in the title race.
The McLaren driver was the subject of booing at the last round in Mexico and emphasised that he had to cut out the noise surrounding the title fight with three races remaining.
“There are always people out there who try to bring you down a bit. You are on the big stage and there people talk, say things, trying to influence others to have effects. Even the cheers and the not-cheers. You hear it. It’s not the nicest thing. But it is something I have evolved over the last few months to deal with,” Norris said.
“I care a lot about people’s perspectives, and how I am portrayed and things in the media, and I probably cared too much at the beginning of the year. It was affecting me in not the best ways. I have learned to deal with those things better.”
