Carlos Sainz’s Brazilian Grand Prix Nightmare: How a Lewis Hamilton Collision Cost Him Crucial Points!
In a heart-wrenching twist of fate at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz’s dreams of securing precious points were shattered early on due to a collision with none other than Lewis Hamilton. The incident unfolded dramatically on Lap 1, as the Williams driver found himself caught in a chaotic bottleneck at Turn 1, resulting in significant front wing damage that would haunt him for the rest of the race.
Sainz, visibly frustrated, recounted the moment that derailed his race: “I think I got squeezed by… I think it was Lewis on the outside and I picked up front-wing damage that compromised my race for the rest of the race.” This early setback not only hindered his performance but also transformed what could have been a formidable charge into the points into a desperate struggle for survival.
The damage inflicted on Sainz’s FW47 was no minor inconvenience. The compromised aerodynamics severely affected grip and downforce, particularly in the high-speed sectors of the Interlagos circuit. “I was a lot of points down on my front wing and as a consequence the rest of the car,” Sainz lamented, highlighting the uphill battle he faced.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Sainz displayed resilience, fighting valiantly for a top 10 finish. But as if the collision wasn’t enough, a slow pit stop further obliterated his chances of a strategic undercut that could have propelled him closer to the coveted points zone. “Then a slow pitstop when we were going to undercut a few cars, also another step back,” he stated, reflecting on the compounding frustrations of the day. “In the end, we were just a few seconds away from the points, which probably without the damage and without the slow pitstop potentially we could have been there.”
As the race progressed, Sainz found himself perpetually stuck in the limbo of positions 11 and 12, battling valiantly with a wounded car. The decision not to replace the damaged front wing due to the time lost in the pits was a calculated one. “No, we would have lost too much time and you’re better off adding flaps, trying to compensate it and going for it,” he explained, showcasing the strategic thinking behind his team’s choices.
With Interlagos behind them, Sainz and the Williams team are now setting their sights on the next challenge—Las Vegas. The street circuit, known for its unique layout, could prove advantageous for the team. “For me, as a team it’s just important to understand how we can keep improving the weakness of the long, medium, low speed, long corner that always compromises us,” Sainz emphasized, optimistic about the potential for redemption.
As the season winds down, the FW47 has shown flashes of brilliance, earning Sainz two podium finishes at low-downforce tracks. However, he is acutely aware that significant adjustments are necessary to tackle the remaining races. “Just as a team we need to get on top of those issues which compromise and will compromise Qatar, compromise here, so keen to keep working as a team on that,” he asserted, fueling the hope that the team can end the season on a high note.
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, every point counts, and for Carlos Sainz, the Brazilian Grand Prix will be remembered as a missed opportunity—a painful reminder of the thin line between triumph and disaster on the racetrack. With the glimmer of Las Vegas on the horizon, fans will eagerly watch to see if Sainz can turn his fortunes around and secure the points he so desperately seeks.








