Lewis Hamilton laments ‘nightmare’ first season driving for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has branded his first season at Ferrari as a “nightmare” after he endured another trying weekend, forced to retire from the São Paulo Grand Prix in a year when he has been frustrated and disappointed as he attempts to adapt to his new team.

“It’s a nightmare,” Hamilton said. “I’ve been living it for a while. The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team and then the nightmare of the results that we’ve had. We are just really having to fight through those hardships at the moment.

“This weekend has been disastrous and disappointing for everyone. I am trying to keep my head above water and remain positive.”

In a race won by Lando Norris to extend his world championship lead to 24 points from his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, Hamilton once more toiled to little effect. He had qualified in 13th and then early in the race was clipped by Carlos Sainz and shortly afterwards took floor damage when he misjudged an attempted pass on Franco Colapinto.

He was forced to retire the car on lap 37, another poor result in a season in which he is sixth in the championship, 66 points behind his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and still without a podium finish.

However, the seven-time champion remained resolute that he and Ferrari would find their feet as they focus on next season. “I believe there is something extraordinary up ahead in my life and in my destiny,” he said. “I truly still believe in this team and what we can achieve together. I just have to keep pushing and keep giving them everything I can.”

Meanwhile, a punchy Norris has insisted he would ignore critics “talking crap” and attempting to bring him down as he focused only on himself in attempting to close out his first world championship, after victory in Brazil.

Norris won at Interlagos with a superb drive from pole position but immediately after the race hit out at questions that had been raised previously regarding his ability to fight for a title. “Just ignore everyone that talks crap about you and focus on yourself,” he said of his approach since he came from behind to retake the lead in the title race.

He was the subject of booing at the last round in Mexico and went on to emphasise that he felt he had to cut out the noise that now surrounds the title fight with three races remaining.

“There are always people out there who try to bring you down a bit. You are on the big stage and there people talk, say things, trying to influence others to have effects. Even the cheers and the not-cheers. You hear it. It’s not the nicest thing. But it is something I have evolved over the last few months to deal with.

“I care a lot about people’s perspectives, and how I am portrayed and things in the media, and I probably cared too much at the beginning of the year. It was affecting me in not the best ways. I have learned to deal with those things better.”