Lewis Hamilton’s Sao Paulo GP Dreams Crushed: “Weekend Done Pretty Much” After Disastrous 13th Place Qualifying
In a shocking turn of events at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has declared his chances of success as “pretty much done” after a dismal qualifying performance that saw him land in 13th place on the grid. The Ferrari star’s struggles at the iconic Interlagos circuit have left fans and analysts alike questioning his team’s strategy and performance ahead of the highly anticipated race.
Hamilton’s woes continued as he faced elimination in the second part of qualifying for the second consecutive day, a bitter disappointment following his 11th place finish in the Sprint race. “Just the way that we had it going today, the rears weren’t there,” Hamilton lamented during his post-qualifying interview with Sky Sports F1. His time saw him fall a mere tenth of a second short of breaking into the top 10, a gap that speaks volumes about the fine margins that separate success from failure in Formula 1.
When pressed on whether he believed the race might yield a better outcome, Hamilton’s response was stark: “Not from where I am. That’s the weekend done pretty much.” Such candid remarks highlight the gravity of the situation for the seven-time world champion, who is grappling not only with car performance but also with mounting pressure as the season progresses.
In stark contrast, Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, managed to claw his way out of the drop zone to secure a remarkable fourth place in Q2, later finishing third in Q3. This dramatic turnaround added to the confusion surrounding Hamilton’s situation, with Sky Sports F1 pundit Jamie Chadwick noting, “Both Ferraris looked like they were struggling…and then next thing you know, Charles pops it into P3.”
While Hamilton’s day spiraled downward, Leclerc’s surge to the front provided a glimmer of hope for Ferrari, who had recently lost ground to Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship. With Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell starting on the front row and sixth respectively, the stakes have never been higher. Ferrari now finds itself six points adrift, making Leclerc’s impressive qualifying performance crucial for their title aspirations.
Reflecting on his own rollercoaster weekend, Leclerc explained, “Everything is so close it goes from being a disaster of a weekend to a really good weekend in a matter of a few hundredths [of a second].” His palpable satisfaction at securing P3 underscores the razor-thin margins that define the sport, as he recognized the critical importance of maximizing every moment during qualifying.
As the F1 world holds its breath for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, set to kick off at 5 PM local time, all eyes will be on both Hamilton and Leclerc. Can Ferrari’s strategy capitalize on Leclerc’s strong starting position? Will Hamilton find a way to salvage what he dubs a “done pretty much” weekend? One thing is certain: the drama of Formula 1 continues to unfold, and the Sao Paulo GP promises to be a spectacle of high-stakes racing and fierce competition, all broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest updates and reactions from the thrilling showdown on the Brazilian circuit!
