Hamilton was amazed: “I never thought we’d be able to close the gap on Verstappen like that”

Lewis Hamilton closed off a memorable weekend by winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, despite starting in P10, after a strong performance in Saturday’s Sprint race.

After what he described as the “hardest weekend I’ve had” in Brazil, Lewis Hamilton couldn’t believe he’d managed to close the gap on Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ standings.

On Sunday, the Mercedes driver impressed again, jumping from 10th to first to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Hamilton was disqualified from qualifying for a Drag Reduction System (DRS) infringement earlier in the weekend, forcing him to start Saturday’s Sprint from the back of the grid.

Hamilton started Sunday’s Grand Prix in P10 due to a five-place grid penalty for an engine change after charging through to finish sixth. That didn’t matter in the end, as Hamilton’s memorable win was sealed by a late pass on Verstappen.

“What a race!” Hamilton commented. “The team did an amazing job. Valtteri [Bottas] did a great job today to get as many points as possible.

“I was pushing as hard as I could, but from last on the grid, and then another five-place penalty, it was the hardest weekend I’ve had.

“But my dad reminded me of 2004, when I was in Formula 3 in Bahrain. I started last, and then I finished 10th, and then I finished first. So this was for my dad.”

“Things kept going against us”

Hamilton has now reduced the gap on Verstappen in the standings, with the Red Bull driver leading by 14 points. After the race, Hamilton admitted that he didn’t think it was possible going into the weekend.

Hamilton added: “Coming into this weekend, I never, ever thought that we would be able to close the gap like we have today.

“Things just kept going against us. I think it really shows, for everyone, just never give up, whatever you’re facing. You’ve just got to keep pushing, keep tumbling away, keep fighting, and that’s really how I’ve approached this weekend.”

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