Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari pit call failed due to lack of information at Sao Paulo GP

<p>Lewis Hamilton said he overrode Ferrari's pit call during heavy rain at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix because his team did not give him enough information. The seven-time world champion was running eighth at Interlagos when rain began to fall with 10 laps remaining.</p>

Rain and the pit call

<p>While the leaders had already passed the pit entry by the time the rain intensified, Mercedes brought in George Russell from fifth. Ferrari instructed Hamilton to come in, but he decided to do the opposite to the car just in front of him at the time, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson. Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc, running just behind him, came into the pits.</p>

Spin and recovery

<p>The seven-time world champion spun on the next lap in the treacherous conditions, before pitting at the end of it to follow his rivals onto intermediates. While there was little at stake, as Hamilton ultimately finished ninth rather than claiming what could have been seventh if he had got past Lawson, it was the latest example of imperfect execution from the British driver and his Italian team.</p>

Hamilton's explanation

<p>Speaking to Sky Italy after the race, Hamilton said: "The last bit of information I got was that the rain was going to stay the same, and in those conditions my grip was feeling pretty good.

' And I was coming out the last corner, just before the pit lane they asked me to box, and I was right behind Lawson. He went in, and I ended up staying (out).

They didn't say it's raining more in the first half of the lap. If I'd have known that I would have come in. As soon as I got to Turn 1, I realised it was wet. So, it just lacked a little bit of information there.

And ultimately, that's on me. Sorry for the team, for that. I gave it everything. "</p>

Weekend context

<p>Hamilton had come into the weekend off the back of a major controversy with his team-mate in Mexico last weekend, as he was angered by a first-lap clash between the pair that he felt cost him victory and the team a one-two.

While Hamilton revealed on Saturday that the pair had "squashed" their issues, the precious nature of their winning opportunity in Mexico City was highlighted by their struggles in Brazil. </p>

Team praise and tyre struggles

<p>Hamilton told Sky Sports F1: "Really tough day and weekend for the whole team. They have done a really great job.

" Hamilton had a great start as he climbed to ninth on the first lap, and successfully pulled off being the first driver to switch from intermediates to slicks as the track dried early in the race, but didn't have the pace to take advantage of either moment.

He added: "We struggled in the dry but I had a great start. Unfortunately, the rear tyres just ballooned and overheated and I struggled.

After that, I was pushing to go onto the slicks, which I eventually got on, I think I was one of the earlier ones [to switch to that tyre]. I was feeling pretty good. It was very tricky in those conditions. "</p>

What happens next

<p>Formula One moves to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Ferrari will hope for better execution after a weekend that included a first-lap clash between Hamilton and Leclerc in Mexico City.</p>

Related on Apex Sports News

• Sao Paulo GP grid penalties hit Hamilton, Verstappen and Leclerc

• Hamilton says Ferrari tensions with Leclerc are over

• Norris fastest at Sao Paulo GP

Sources

• Sky Sports

• Sky Sports

• Photo: Original: Eustace Bagge Derivative work: Danyele, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)