Lewis Hamilton has openly characterized his inaugural season with Scuderia Ferrari as a “nightmare,” following another deeply disappointing race weekend at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion was forced into an early retirement on lap 37, marking a low point in a year defined by struggle and frustration. His race unraveled quickly, first with contact from Carlos Sainz and then with floor damage sustained during an attempted overtake.
“It’s a nightmare, and I’ve been living it for a while,” Hamilton stated. “There’s the dream of driving for this legendary team, and then the harsh reality of our results. We’re fighting through these hardships right now. This weekend was disastrous for everyone, but I’m trying to stay positive and keep my head above water.”
Hamilton’s move to the Italian marque has yet to yield a podium finish. He currently sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, a significant 66 points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Despite the profound difficulties, the British driver expressed unwavering faith in a future turnaround with the team.
“I still believe there is something extraordinary ahead in my destiny,” he affirmed. “My belief in this team and what we can achieve together is absolute. I just have to keep pushing and giving everything I have.”
The São Paulo race was won by McLaren’s Lando Norris, who extended his championship lead with a commanding drive from pole position. In the aftermath of his victory, Norris addressed the increasing scrutiny that comes with leading a title fight, vowing to block out external criticism.
“You have to ignore everyone who talks crap about you and just focus on yourself,” Norris declared. He referenced being booed by sections of the crowd at the previous event in Mexico, acknowledging the challenging atmosphere. “There are always people trying to bring you down. You hear everything—the cheers and the not-cheers. It’s not pleasant, but I’ve learned to deal with it better. I probably cared too much about media portrayal earlier this year, and it affected me. I’ve had to evolve.”