Lewis Hamilton has explained that unclear radio messages from his Ferrari team cost him track position at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a race in which Mercedes were confirmed as constructors' champions.
Hamilton had already endured a difficult race at Interlagos before the situation worsened when he was one of the last drivers to switch from slick tyres to intermediates as rain intensified. His Ferrari slid sideways on the approach to the pit entry, and although he avoided a heavy crash, the rear wing made contact with the barrier.
The delay proved costly. Instead of chasing Liam Lawson for seventh place in the closing laps, Hamilton rejoined behind Charles Leclerc, who finished as the lead Ferrari.
Strong Start Fades
Hamilton had started from 20th on the grid after engine penalties but made up several positions before the first corner and soon moved into the top 10. However, he then struggled for grip as the rear tyres overheated and began to drop back down the order.
“It was a really tough day and weekend for the whole team,” Hamilton said. “We struggled in the dry, but I had a great start. Unfortunately, the rear tyres just ballooned and overheated, and I then struggled. After that, I was pushing to go to the slicks, which I eventually got on. I was one of the earlier ones, and was feeling pretty good. It was very tricky in those conditions.”
Radio Confusion
When the rain intensified, race engineer Carlo Santi instructed Hamilton over the radio to “box for inters”. Hamilton did not enter the pit lane immediately and said shortly afterwards: “Oh damn, you hadn't told me it was raining, I thought I could carry on, I was feeling comfortable out on track.”
After the race, Hamilton said: “At the end, the last message I got was that it was going to stay drizzling, and I was like, 'Okay, this is my moment to keep pushing', and I could stay in those conditions. I didn't hear that it was raining more in the first sector, and I passed the pit lane, got to Turn 1 and it was wet, so that unfortunately lost us a couple of places, otherwise, the team did a great job.”
Championship Implications
Ferrari's poor result meant Mercedes were confirmed as constructors' champions despite a difficult Sunday of their own. With little left to fight for this season, Hamilton said he does not know how the campaign will end for him and his team.
“I really don't know where we're going to be in the next races, but we've had a really good car in the past races. This weekend was a bit of a struggle. I think that the team deserved a better result. But we live and we learn, and we will come back and try and fight harder at the next one.”
