Hamilton pushed the limits: "The hardest weekend I've had in F1"
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton produced one of his best-ever performances in Formula 1 to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. The seven-time World Champion worked his way from 10th on the grid to take the victory after a phenomenal duel with Max Verstappen. Hamilton cuts his deficit to 14 points in the 2021 World Championship with three races remaining.
Prior to Sunday afternoon, nobody had won at Interlagos from starting ninth or lower on the grid. But the strengths of Hamilton and the Mercedes car ended that streak. In the interview after the race with former title rival Felipe Massa, Hamilton was buzzing. The Brit bounced back from a disqualification in qualifying on Friday.
"Firstly, I feel what it was like to be you in 2007, I'm grateful for the support. I haven't had it since Silverstone. Since then it's been difficult but to hear it through this weekend has been humbling. What a race, the team did an aiming job, Valtteri Bottas did a great job to get as many points as possible," Hamilton said.
Hunting down Verstappen
Hamilton and Verstappen exchanged in a battle that personified the 2021 World Championship battle. Hamilton admits he wasn't expecting the win and the start of the season and alludes to his mentality.
"Pushing as hard as I could, from last and another five-place penalty, the hardest weekend I've had. My dad reminded me of when I did something similar previously. Coming into this weekend, I didn't think we'd close the gap like we did today. Then things kept going against us, but it shows never give up. Never stop fighting and that's how I've approached this weekend. I haven't won for a long time so feels like the first," Hamilton added.