To pay tribute to Brazil and his idol Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton arrived at Interlagos wearing a special helmet featuring the colors of the South American nation, which granted him honorary citizenship a few years ago. However, Friday at the São Paulo Grand Prix did not go as planned for the Ferrari driver, who was eliminated in the second segment of Sprint qualifying and will start Saturday’s race from a frustrating eleventh position.

“The yellow flags definitely didn’t help,” Lewis Hamilton explained to Sky UK. “It’s not that we didn’t try. The team thought we would be much faster than we actually were. We gave everything we could, and that’s what matters — we just weren’t quick enough.”

Lewis Hamilton admitted he didn’t have many explanations for the lack of performance: “We’re working really hard, so there’s not much more I can do. I’m starting eleventh, so from there I’ll just try to enjoy myself. The year hasn’t been going well for me, and I have to make the most of whatever comes — that’s all I can do.” – the seven-time Formula 1 world champion pointed out following Friday’s track action at the Interlagos circuit.