Lewis Hamilton expressed his discontent via his team radio before he retired from the Brazilian Grand Prix.
On Sunday, McLaren star Lando Norris took control of the 2025 Formula 1 title race by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
The Brit took the chequered flag ahead of Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Norris‘ closest title rival, Oscar Piastri, finished fifth.
As a result, the gap between Norris and Piastri now stands at 24 points with just three races remaining.
Further down the grid, it was a horrible afternoon for Ferrari as both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were forced to retire from the race.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton dropped down the order at the start of the race after making contact with Williams driver Carlos Sainz.
To make matters worse, Hamilton then lost his front wing after clipping Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
Lewis Hamilton sustained damage during the opening lap at Interlagos. Image: Getty
The 40-year-old was then informed that he had been handed a five-second penalty for making contact with Colapinto.
Far from happy with the stewards’ call, Hamilton blasted on his team radio: “These guys are a joke. A complete joke. The car moved over on me, so I clipped my wing.”
He also criticised the car’s handling, Hamilton added: “It’s likely I’m going to end up in the barriers. The rears. The rear is dropping off big time.”
Eventually, due to damage, Hamilton was told to retire the car on Lap 39.
Reflecting on his race, the Brit said: “I mean, jeez, This is definitely a weekend to forget. It’s a shame because I love Brazil and also, you know, just everyone in the team, every single person in the team, they turn up every week and give it their absolute best and to come away with nothing, to not finish a race the second time in the year, it’s really devastating and I feel terrible for the team.
“I’m sorry for my part in qualifying, putting myself in that position. I just have to… we’ll get back up tomorrow and just give it another go.”
#BrazilGP 🇧🇷 | Lewis Hamilton post race:
“This is definitely a weekend to forget. It’s a shame cause I love Brazil (…) To come away with nothing, to not finish the race, for a second time in the year, it’s really devastating.”
“I feel terrible for the team. I’m sorry for my… pic.twitter.com/5kBR5Yc9as
— deni (@fiagirly) November 9, 2025
Meanwhile, Leclerc was forced to retire after being hit by Antonelli, who himself was tagged by Piastri, who locked up going into the first corner following the safety car restart.
The Australian tried to make a move up the inside, but ended up hitting Antonelli who then spun into Leclerc, the Ferrari then lost its front left tyre, ending the Monegasque’s race.
Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for causing the collision.
F1 will return next weekend with the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
