Hamilton's Brazil Retirement Deepens Ferrari 'Nightmare'

Lewis Hamilton's recent retirement at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, marked by multiple collisions and floor damage, has further compounded a challenging debut season with Ferrari. The seven-time world champion described his experience as a "nightmare" contrasting with the "dream" of driving for the iconic team, highlighting the persistent struggle for consistent results despite his ambitions.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari was anticipated to be a game-changer, but a season fraught with difficulties, culminating in a DNF in Brazil, raises questions about the team's ability to provide him with a championship-contending car. For a driver of Hamilton's caliber, a podium-less first season at Maranello underscores deeper issues that need addressing if Ferrari is to return to the top tier of F1.

The details:

• Hamilton's race in Sao Paulo was plagued by incidents, starting with contact with Williams' Carlos Sainz on the opening lap.
• He later clipped Alpine's Franco Colapinto, sustaining damage to his front wing and floor, which ultimately led to his retirement on Lap 38.
• A five-second penalty for the Colapinto incident was issued, followed by a penalty point on his Super Licence.
• Hamilton's post-race comments to Sky Sports F1 revealed his deep frustration, stating, "This is a nightmare, I've been living it for a while."
• This retirement marks another low point in a season where Hamilton is still seeking his first Ferrari podium after 21 races.
• Adding to Ferrari's woes, teammate Charles Leclerc also retired from the race, leaving the Scuderia in fourth place in the constructors' championship, behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

Between the lines:

While Hamilton's frustration is palpable, Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok noted that Hamilton has been largely a match for his teammate Charles Leclerc, especially since the summer break. Chandhok acknowledged the recent setbacks in Mexico and Brazil but suggested that Hamilton's form has generally been strong, indicating that the issues might be more systemic within the team rather than solely individual performance.

What's next:

Despite the ongoing struggles, Hamilton remains resolute in his commitment to the team and his determination to improve. He expressed his resolve to "get back up" and "keep working with the team" to secure better results in the remaining races of the season. His focus will be on bouncing back strongly in the upcoming rounds to end what has been a trying first season with Ferrari on a more positive note.