Lewis Hamilton calls for ‘holiday’ in brutal Mercedes interview after Brazil nightmare | F1 | Sport
Lewis Hamilton joked that he is in need of a ‘holiday’ after scrapping for P10 during a miserable Brazilian Grand Prix. The Brit’s weekend was difficult from the get-go, and he leaves Interlagos with just one point to show for his efforts.
The Mercedes star lined up 15th on the grid, gaining a position after Carlos Sainz was resigned to a pit lane start. At the end of lap one, he had climbed to P11, but from there he struggled to make any inroads.
While Max Verstappen – who started alongside him on the grid – climbed all the way to the lead of the race with a sensational drive, Hamilton spent the middle portion of the race scrapping with Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman out of the points.
The Brit even dropped as low as P15 at one point following an excursion off-track, but eventually recovered to P10, claiming the final point ahead of Sergio Perez, who endured an equally troubling weekend.
“We were just slow,” he told Sky Sports F1. “The car was really, really tough. I do really want to say still a big thank you to the guys in the garage. They turned up super early this morning and still did a great job throughout the weekend.
“Everyone back at the factory I know they’ll be feeling the pain. The team could’ve won also today so at least one car was behaving OK. The car is like a plank of wood. No suspension, bouncing on the tyres everywhere and can’t get on the power anywhere.
“The worst ride definitely that we’ve ever had, particularly through corners. Just so stiff. But hopefully, we won’t have any more bumpy tracks. I think the last three aren’t so bumpy. I could happily go and take a holiday.”
Team-mate Russell fared slightly better than the seven-time world champion. He crossed the line in P4 – albeit with an investigation still hanging over him – but was left extremely frustrated.
The 26-year-old pitted from the lead under the virtual safety car against his own wishes. When the red flag was brought out a couple of laps later, Esteban Ocon, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly all gained free pit stops and leapfrogged him in the order.
