F1 | São Paulo GP | Hamilton shrugs off penalty with a stunning drive: Win "feels like the first”
Lewis Hamilton overcame the penalty and passes on the track Max Verstappen, getting a win and catching some important points in the Championship’s standing
The Brazilian Grand Prix did not start easily for Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes driver was penalised for a DRS infringement and had to start from the back of the grid. This penalty could really help define the end of the fight for the title, as Max Verstappen was already 19 points ahead and he began the race grabbing the first position and holding it almost until the end.
At Interlagos, we testified a hard battle, made by strategy at first – with the pit stops – and on the track, when the Mercedes driver almost passed the Dutchman, but he went wide and close the door shut on Hamilton’s face, without any investigation. In the end, Hamilton managed to overcome Verstappen, obtaining a well-deserved win and a great comeback.
“Firstly, I know, I think I feel what it was like for you here with all the support in 2007 with your amazing country,"- said Lewis Hamilton to Felipe Massa right after the end of the race.
My greatest inspiration. It was the way he raced, his passion for life and for the sport. But more than anything it was the way he faced alone a system that wasn’t always kind to him. May Aryton Senna’s legacy live on forever, especially vibrant this weekend pic.twitter.com/SmA4QQpOul
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 11, 2021
"And yes, I’ve been saying ‘Obrigado, Brasil’ – I’m so, so grateful – he commented – What a race, the team did an amazing job, Valtteri 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 again another five-place penalty, it was I think, the hardest weekend I have had.”
"I mean, coming into this weekend, - he explained – I never, ever thought that we’d be able to close the gap like we have today. And then these things that just kept going against us. But I think it really shows, just for everyone, just never give up whatever you’re facing. It feels like the first, because I don’t feel like I’ve had a win for a long time."
Then, the Brit said he dedicated the win to his father. After the penalty, Lewis reported that his dad told him to “brush (the penalty) off” and just move on. And what an amazing job he did.
