SAO PAULO, Brazil, CMC – Newly-crowned Formula One drivers champion, Lewis Hamilton, will start from the back of the grid after crashing out in first qualifying for today’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old picked up a slide in turn six before his Mercedes ended up in sideways into the barriers in turn seven at speed, bringing a premature end to his qualifying at Interlagos on Saturday.
Moments later, a jaded-sounding Hamilton told his team over the radio: “I’m ok, guys.”
He later downplayed the incident saying “we’re all human” but vowed to give everything in today’s race.
“It happened really quick. I mean there’s not much to say really, you saw it – it is what it is,” said the Brit, who wrapped up his fourth World title in dramatic scenes at the last race in Mexico two weeks ago.
“Of course it’s unfortunate. Very unusual of me, but it just shows we’re all human and you know, things happen.
“Challenges are what make life interesting – and overcoming them makes life meaningful. I’m just going to try to take whatever bubble of negativity comes from that experience, move forward and try and work from it.”
He added: “I will try and have as much fun as possible tomorrow. Years ago I came from quite far behind here and had a great race. Not the greatest of days today, but I’ll keep my head up.”
Ironically, Hamilton won the Brazilian Grand Prix last year as he finished second in the championship to then teammate Nico Rosberg.
In Hamilton’s absence, current teammate Valtteri Bottas grabbed pole, narrowly ahead of Sebastien Vettel, with the other Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen third and Red Bull’s starlet Max Verstappen copping the other berth on second row.
