Lewis Hamilton vents over team radio after receiving a five-second penalty
A Tough Start to the Weekend
The difficulties began on Friday when Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in SQ2, leaving him to start the Sprint from 11th position. Despite this setback, he managed to fight his way into the points during the Sprint race, finishing seventh, while his teammate Charles Leclerc secured fifth place. However, the optimism was short-lived, as Lewis Hamilton once again failed to reach Q3 in Sunday’s qualifying, limiting his starting position to 13th for the main race.
Race Day Chaos in Sao Paulo
From the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton faced a string of misfortunes. He made contact with Carlos Sainz at Turn 1, which caused him to lose control and drop to the back of the grid. As the race unfolded, he attempted to overtake Franco Colapinto on the main straight, but the move ended in disaster when Hamilton’s front wing was destroyed upon contact, leaving part of it lodged under his Ferrari SF-25. This incident severely compromised the car’s balance and downforce, making it nearly undrivable for the remainder of the race.
The deployment of the safety car due to Gabriel Bortoleto’s crash allowed the Briton to pit for repairs, but the damage to the floor and rear suspension continued to affect his performance. To make matters worse, the stewards ruled him responsible for the collision with Franco Colapinto, issuing a five-second time penalty. Frustrated by the decision, Lewis Hamilton expressed his dissatisfaction over the radio, calling the stewards’ ruling a “complete joke.” This marked the second consecutive race in which Lewis Hamilton faced a controversial penalty, following a reprimand in Mexico for an incident involving Max Verstappen.
Ferrari’s Weekend Woes
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s struggles were compounded by Ferrari’s broader issues during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. Both he and Charles Leclerc retired from the race, with the Monegasque being forced out after Oscar Piastri collided with Kimi Antonelli during the safety car restart. Fans voiced their frustration on social media, calling for Ferrari to “end the season” after another disappointing double retirement. The team’s strategic and operational shortcomings, particularly in tyre preparation and car setup, were widely criticized, raising questions about Ferrari’s performance management during the 2025 season.
Technical Struggles and Expert Commentary
Throughout the weekend, Lewis Hamilton struggled to extract performance from the SF-25, frequently complaining about a lack of rear grip. Ferrari’s timing error on Friday prevented him from reaching Q3, a mistake that commentator Martin Brundle described as “sickening.” Fans and pundits alike noted the team’s inconsistent pace and strategy, highlighting how challenging the weekend had been for the British driver. While Hamilton showed determination and resilience, the combination of on-track incidents, car damage, and strategic missteps summed up a miserable outing for both the driver and Ferrari in Brazil.
Looking Ahead
Despite the chaos at Interlagos, Lewis Hamilton remains optimistic about Ferrari’s progress heading into 2026. While the Brazilian Grand Prix was a stark reminder of the challenges he faces, the Briton continues to believe in the Maranello team’s potential and hopes that lessons learned from this difficult weekend will help the Scuderia regain competitiveness for the rest of the season and beyond.
