Sao Paulo (AFP) – Lewis Hamilton closed a weekend to forget this Sunday at the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix by finishing ninth after starting from twentieth position, in a race marked by rain and tension within Ferrari.

First modification: 11/08/2026 - 23:25

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion quietly said goodbye to the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, after a difficult day for his team, which saw Mercedes crowned world champion of constructors.

The German team needed just three more points than Ferrari, second, to secure the constructors' championship and achieved the goal without incident.

Hamilton fell from third to fourth place in the drivers' standings, behind champion Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and George Russell (Mercedes).

Charles Leclerc, his teammate at Ferrari, is now in fifth position.

Before competing in his 400th Grand Prix in Formula 1, Hamilton assured that he and Leclerc had overcome the tension that arose after the incident they carried out on the first lap of the Mexican GP race last weekend.

"It was a really difficult day and weekend for the whole team," he said. "They've done a really great job, especially all the mechanics changing the engines and making sure the car was in the best condition possible."

Hamilton suffered engine problems on Friday and Ferrari had to fit two new units on Saturday after another failed during the final practice session. The corresponding penalty forced him to start from twentieth place.

"I had a great start to the race, but unfortunately the rear tire swelled and overheated. After that, on the slicks, I felt pretty good."

"It was very difficult in these conditions and we ended up making an extra stop, so I had to make up a lot of ground."

The 41-year-old Briton also explained that he made a complete spin at the end of the race because he did not realize how wet the track was in the first sector of the circuit.

"I didn't realize it was raining more in the first sector, I went through pit lane, got to turn one and it was wet. Unfortunately, that caused us to lose a couple of positions, but otherwise the team did a great job."

© 2026 AFP

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