F1 News
Hamilton still concerned: "It'll be hard to catch Verstappen"
Lewis Hamilton qualified on pole for the sprint race in Brazil. The seven-time World Champion looks to switch the momentum around going into the final few races of the season. He stares down a 19 point deficit to rival Max Verstappen who he shares the front row with for Saturday's sprint race.
Damage limitation
Mercedes installed Hamilton's fifth internal combustion engine of the season and the Brit, therefore, picks up a five-place grid penalty. That comes into effect for the main Grand Prix on Sunday. Hamilton revealed he is super happy to be on pole.
"Firstly, I'm happy to be back here in Brazil. One of the guys who work here suggests I should use the Senna colours because it's my first pole in a long time," Hamilton said in the interview after the event.
"The team have been working flat out. Going from one race to another, the man-hours is insane. Today was a really good qualifying session, I'm super happy with it. We've got the penalty tomorrow but we'll give it everything we've got."
Hamilton went on to discuss his chances for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. "It's not easy to follow. Max is [probably] starting [the Grand Prix] on pole now but it'll be hard to catch him. But I'll do my best to get through the field. I don't know what tomorrow will hold. The weather is perhaps a bit better. It's crazy because it's been a while so it feels like a first," Hamilton concluded.