- Lewis Hamilton was sensationally eliminated from qualifying in Q1 in Sao Paulo
- There were three red flags after three crashes, including one involving Carlos Sainz
- Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, 27, will start the Grand Prix from 17th place
Lewis Hamilton was sensationally eliminated from qualifying in Q1, with a barely credible underperformance in the wet.
The horror day for the seven-time world champion unfolded when Franco Calopinto lost control and spun into the Rolex advertising screens in Turn 3. The red flag was waved, marking an eight-minute break in proceedings. At this point the rain became heavier.
This was potentially bad news for Mercedes, with both cars in the drop zone. Hamilton, who made his legend in the rain, was at rock bottom, 11 seconds from the top. George Russell was only two places above him.
Russell escaped with some ease as the action restarted. Hamilton didn’t. It was an astonishing scene. This was the Hamilton who produced one of the two best drives in rainy conditions the world has ever seen: Silverstone in 2008 won by a minute, which could compare with the magic of his hero Ayrton Senna at Donington in 1993 .
Lewis Hamilton was sensationally eliminated from qualifying in Q1, with a barely believable underperformance in the wet
There were three red flags after three crashes, including one by Carlos Sainz (above)
Above you can see Sainz’s car being lifted off the track after crashing into the barriers
Hamilton was an amphibian that day sixteen years ago – and then this. He finished two seconds behind Russell. It was one of the most stunning performances I have witnessed while covering more than 300 Grands Prix. “The car was out of control,” said Hamilton, who trails Russell 16-5 in qualifying this season.
Either Hamilton is being sabotaged by Mercedes, or there is something serious going on with him. He’s 39 years old and you wonder if he can ever regain the preternatural nerves and skills that took him to the heights of motorsport during a long peak.
But history tells us never to write him off. He has made a career in producing magic acts in moments of crisis. It would be the best Hamilton thing in the world to win the race from apparent oblivion this afternoon.
A penny for the thoughts of John Elkann, president of Ferrari, who will pay a gold mine for Hamilton’s services next year and the year after.
Max Verstappen was hit with a five-place grid penalty for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday
Because he was eliminated in Q2 during qualifying on Sunday, Verstappen ultimately finished twelfth in qualifying. That’s why he will start the race in P17
Hamilton’s elimination from Q1 was not the only surprise on Sunday morning. The dire conditions saw four cars crash into the barriers, triggering four red flags as the driver struggled to maintain control of his car in Sao Paulo.
Carlos Sainz crashed in turn two, while Lance Stroll crashed in turn 3, both leading to a red flag. However, Max Verstappen’s lap, in sector three, was forced to stop due to Stroll’s red flag, qualifying him as 12th fastest and landing him in p17 for the Grand Prix.
More to follow…