Lewis Hamilton Retires from Brazil GP, Ferrari Suffers Double DNF

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton retired from the 2025 Brazil Grand Prix after a chaotic race at Interlagos, marking a dismal double DNF for Ferrari. His teammate Charles Leclerc also exited earlier, compounding a disastrous weekend for the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

This double retirement at Interlagos significantly impacts Ferrari's standing in the Constructors' Championship, allowing Mercedes to overtake them in the battle for second behind McLaren. With only four rounds left, every point is crucial, and Ferrari's reliability and performance issues are raising serious questions about their championship aspirations and Hamilton's difficult transition to the team.

The details:

• Opening Lap Chaos: On the first lap, Hamilton was involved in multiple incidents, first clashing with Williams' Carlos Sainz, then clipping the rear of Alpine's Franco Colapinto. This forced an early pit stop for a new front wing.
• Extensive Damage: Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz noted significant damage to Hamilton's Ferrari floor, particularly the guide vanes, severely impacting the car's performance. "He will be slower than a slow thing. There is so much damage to the floor of his Ferrari," Kravitz reported.
• Handling Issues: Hamilton reported extreme instability, stating, "Mate, I'm going to crash out here. I'll keep trying. The car is crazy unstable," before his second pit stop.
• Penalties and Retirement: While stewards took no further action on the Sainz collision, Hamilton received a five-second penalty for the incident with Colapinto. After struggling in 17th position, Ferrari ultimately retired his car on Lap 40.
• Leclerc's DNF: Earlier in the race, Charles Leclerc also retired after a collision involving Oscar Piastri and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, completing Ferrari's nightmare weekend.

The big picture:

This weekend underscores Ferrari's ongoing struggles with performance and reliability, particularly at a critical juncture in the season. Mercedes' strong sprint race and subsequent climb over Ferrari in the constructors' standings intensify the battle for second place. For Hamilton, this marks another "write-off weekend," as he described it, highlighting his challenging adaptation and the team's difficulties in providing a competitive and reliable package.

What's next:

Ferrari faces an uphill battle to regain momentum and championship ground in the final four rounds of the 2025 season. The team will need to thoroughly investigate the root causes of their double DNF and address both performance and reliability issues. For Hamilton, finding his rhythm and confidence with the Ferrari will be paramount as the season concludes, especially given his candid remarks about his mental state. The pressure on the Scuderia to deliver a strong finish and secure second in the Constructors' Championship will be immense.