Back Pain and Cold Tires Hinder Hamilton’s Performance, Leaving Mercedes’ Veteran in the Lower Half of the Grid
Lewis Hamilton faced a tough day at the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint qualifying as he was eliminated in SQ2 at Interlagos, sparking an outpouring of mixed reactions from fans. Despite high expectations for the seven-time world champion, especially given his strong connection with Brazilian fans, Hamilton’s struggles with the Mercedes W15’s setup and physical discomfort saw him fall short of a top-10 finish.
During FP1, Hamilton was heard expressing discomfort over the radio, leading to concern among fans. While the Mercedes team assured that Hamilton could continue racing, his issues persisted. As the sprint qualifying began, he struggled to maintain pace, which left him out of SQ3. Disappointed fans were quick to criticize, with some even mocking the British driver’s recent form, while others offered encouragement, hoping he could still make a comeback in the sprint race.
Adding to Hamilton’s challenges, the Mercedes struggled to reach optimal tire temperature in the cooler conditions, impacting grip and consistency. His race engineer, Bono, noted the temperature differences between Hamilton and teammate George Russell, who was able to navigate the setup challenges better and made it into SQ3. “The difference we see to George is he’s pushing more through turns 6-7, which is giving him higher temps and better grip for the rest of the lap,” Bono explained over the radio.
With Hamilton starting from the lower half of the grid, the sprint race at Interlagos presents an uphill battle for the 39-year-old. While some fans criticized his recent performances, his loyal fanbase remains hopeful that he can pull off a strong race. Meanwhile, McLaren dominated the sprint qualifying session, locking out the front row and aiming to extend their lead in the Constructors’ Championship as the season reaches its climax.
