Hamilton’s Race Nightmare in Brazil as Bortoleto Forced to Retire
Lewis Hamilton endured a chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto’s home race ended prematurely in disappointment.
Hamilton’s troubles began immediately when Carlos Sainz tapped him from behind at the start. The contact sent the seven-time world champion briefly losing control, dropping him even further back from his already disappointing P13 starting position.
But that was just the beginning of his problems.
The real drama unfolded when Brazilian driver Bortoleto attempted to pass Lance Stroll on the outside. The Aston Martin driver left no room, pushing the local favorite straight into the wall.
The impact wrecked Bortoleto’s front left suspension, ending his race before it really began.
Hamilton’s day went from bad to worse when he attempted to overtake Franco Colapinto. The Mercedes driver misjudged the move, slamming into the back of the Alpine and detaching his own front wing in the process.
To make matters even more painful, Hamilton then drove over his own broken wing.
The damage severely reduced his car’s downforce, forcing him to limp back to the pits for repairs.
It’s been that kind of day for the British driver, who continues to struggle for form in what has become an increasingly frustrating season.
Meanwhile, Bortoleto’s early exit denied Brazilian fans the chance to cheer on their countryman at their home Grand Prix – a particularly bitter pill to swallow given this was a rare opportunity to see a local driver competing on home soil.
