Lewis Hamilton has joked he is ready for a break after a miserable Brazilian Grand Prix (Image: Mario Renzi - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton has endured a largely miserable time since winning the Belgian Grand Prix in July and could only manage 10th place in a rain-soaked Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has joked he is ready to take a holiday after enduring an awful Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.
The Mercedes star has won two races so far this season, at Silverstone and in Belgium. But he has failed to feature on the podium since the latter win back in July and could only manage 10th on Sunday at Interlagos.
It was somewhat of an impressive comeback, with the Brit having lined up in 15th place. But with Alexander Albon having been ruled out after a heavy qualifying crash and Carlos Sainz starting from the pitlane, there were two less drivers for him to deal with.
Even so, Hamilton struggled to make inroads and was quickly passed by Max Verstappen, who went on to win the race from 17th on the grid. Hamilton spent much of the race battling Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman and did eventually manage to score the final point.
His team-mate George Russell meanwhile had been battling for the lead before coming home fourth. That left Hamilton cutting a frustrated figure as he analysed his race following the chequered flag.
“We were just slow,” he told Sky Sports F1. “The car was really, really tough. I do really want to say still a big thank you to the guys in the garage. They turned up super early this morning and still did a great job throughout the weekend.
“Everyone back at the factory I know they’ll be feeling the pain. The team could’ve won also today so at least one car was behaving OK. The car is like a plank of wood. No suspension, bouncing on the tyres everywhere and can’t get on the power anywhere.
“The worst ride definitely that we’ve ever had, particularly through corners. Just so stiff. But hopefully, we won’t have any more bumpy tracks. I think the last three aren’t so bumpy. I could happily go and take a holiday.”
Andrew Shovlin, the Silver Arrows’ trackside engineering director, admitted it had been a difficult weekend for the team. But he insisted that they would learn the lessons of their difficulties.
“It has been a tough triple header for the team – and the final day of competition continued in very much the same way. Lewis struggled for confidence in the car, and did not progress past Q1 in a session that saw several cars finish out of position,” he said.
“George got stuck behind an ultimately slower car and was unable to overtake, without DRS available. It was the same story for Lewis a little further back, who climbed into the points but was unable to pass Lawson despite several close attempts.
“P4 and P10 feel like a meagre reward after leading the first part of the race, but there’s plenty for us to pick through and learn from across this weekend, and from the last three races. We will be focusing on that work in the coming days, to give ourselves the strongest foundation for the final triple header of the season.”
