Lewis Hamilton is yet to finish on the podium for Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton described his inaugural season with Ferrari as “a nightmare” following his retirement from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion’s race was compromised after contact with Carlos Sainz’s Williams on the opening lap, compounded by an unsuccessful overtaking attempt on Alpine’s Franco Colapinto early in the second lap.
The incident resulted in front wing damage, necessitating a swift pit stop for replacement. However, a damaged floor left him struggling for pace.
Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the collision with Colapinto and ultimately retired from the race on lap 39, languishing in last position.
The British driver is still seeking his first podium finish with Ferrari, despite a dominant victory in the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix in March. He currently sits sixth in the drivers’ championship standings.
“This is a nightmare, and I have been living it for a while. The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team and the nightmare of the results we have had, the ups and downs, it’s challenging,” Hamilton told Sky Sports.
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Ferrari’s day was further marred by Charles Leclerc’s earlier retirement, caused by a collision with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli that broke his front suspension. The Italian rookie was inadvertently pushed into Leclerc’s path by Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.
In a separate interview with Viaplay, Hamilton expressed a more optimistic outlook regarding Ferrari and his potential future achievements with the team.
“It would be wrong to say that there are no positives at all,” he said.
“If you look at Charles’ performance in qualifying, it shows that the car does have some pace in it.
“But we are just really having to fight through those hardships at the moment. I have to believe that these hardships lead to… I believe there is something extraordinary up ahead in my life and in my destiny.
“I truly still believe in this team and what we can achieve together. I just have to keep pushing and keep giving them everything I can.”
The double Ferrari retirement in Sao Paulo leaves them fourth in the constructors’ championship, with Mercedes now 36 points ahead in second place and Red Bull in third.
Hamilton driving with a broken front wing in the early stages of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
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