News Summary
- Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari did not tell him that rainfall had intensified in the first sector before his late pit-stop decision.
- The seven-time world champion ignored a call to pit, spun on slick tyres and eventually finished ninth after starting 20th.
- Hamilton accepted responsibility for the decision while highlighting Ferrari’s tyre-temperature problems during a difficult São Paulo Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton said insufficient information about worsening rain contributed to his costly late spin at the São Paulo Grand Prix, explaining that he would have followed Ferrari’s instruction to pit had he known how quickly conditions were deteriorating at Interlagos.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion finished ninth on Sunday after starting 20th, having recovered 11 positions on the opening lap. However, his hopes of a stronger result disappeared during the final stages when heavy rain returned and he remained on slick tyres for one lap longer than several rivals.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italy after the race, Hamilton explained that Ferrari’s latest weather update had suggested the rain would remain at its existing intensity. He therefore believed he could continue pushing while closing on Liam Lawson.
Hamilton explains decision to ignore Ferrari pit call
Hamilton was running behind Lawson when Ferrari instructed him to switch to intermediate tyres. The message arrived shortly before the pit entrance, leaving the British driver to make an immediate decision.
“The last bit of information I got was that the rain was going to stay the same, and in those conditions my grip was feeling pretty good,” Hamilton said.
“And I was like, ‘ah, I’m catching.’ And I was coming out the last corner, just before the pit lane they asked me to box, and I was right behind Lawson.”
Hamilton decided to continue as Lawson entered the pits. Charles Leclerc, who was running behind his teammate, also stopped for intermediates.
“He went in, and I ended up staying (out). They didn’t say it’s raining more in the first half of the lap. If I’d have known that I would have come in.”
“As soon as I got to Turn 1, I realised it was wet. So, it just lacked a little bit of information there.”
The conditions deteriorated significantly during the following lap. Hamilton lost control at the final corner but avoided the barriers, eventually returning to the pits for intermediate tyres.
“And ultimately, that’s on me. Sorry for the team, for that. I gave it everything. We just didn’t have the pace today unfortunately.”
Although Hamilton identified the missing weather information, he did not place the entire responsibility on Ferrari. His remarks acknowledged that the team had called him into the pits and that he had chosen to remain on track.
Ferrari struggles with tyre temperatures throughout race
The late incident compounded an already difficult afternoon for Ferrari, which had entered the race with both drivers carrying power-unit grid penalties.
Hamilton initially appeared capable of a strong recovery. Starting 20th, he climbed to ninth on the opening lap and later pushed for an early switch from intermediate to slick tyres as the track dried.
However, his pace deteriorated as the rear tyres overheated, preventing him from maintaining the progress achieved during the opening stages.
“We struggled in the dry but I had a great start. Unfortunately, the rear tyres just ballooned and overheated and I struggled,” Hamilton explained.
“After that, I was pushing to go onto the slicks, which I eventually got on, I think I was one of the earlier ones [to switch to that tyre].”
The decision initially helped Ferrari, but the later rain exposed the team’s difficulty in responding to rapidly changing conditions. Hamilton ultimately crossed the line ninth, while Leclerc finished eighth after receiving a five-second penalty for contact with Lawson.
The result followed a weekend in which Ferrari had already faced significant technical and operational challenges. Hamilton’s engine problems forced further component changes before qualifying, contributing to his back-of-grid start.
The team’s difficulties contrasted with Lando Norris’s São Paulo victory and Mercedes’ confirmation as constructors’ champion.
Hamilton accepts responsibility as Ferrari looks towards Las Vegas
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur acknowledged that both drivers had struggled to bring their tyres into the correct operating window, producing inconsistent pace in wet and dry conditions.
Hamilton also recognised the work completed by Ferrari’s mechanics after the engine changes that disrupted his weekend.
“Really tough day and weekend for the whole team. They have done a really great job,” he said.
“All the mechanics did such a great job switching out the engine and making sure the car was as good as it could be.”
The result leaves Ferrari with further questions about its tyre performance before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where low temperatures could again make tyre preparation particularly important.
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