Hamilton’s Performance Struggles in Sao Paulo Contrasted with Russell’s Competitiveness

Max Verstappen achieved a remarkable victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which was significantly affected by heavy rain, ascending from 17th position. This win appears to give him a decisive hold on the drivers’ championship. Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Galsy also secured podium finishes. In contrast, Lando Norris, Verstappen’s championship rival, had a challenging race, managing only a sixth-place finish. BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson addresses questions following the Sao Paulo race. Nick inquired about Max Verstappen’s historical standing in wet-weather driving, noting that “Rain is the great equaliser of talent and cars.” Nick characterized Verstappen’s performance as “imperious, another class.” While any ranking of exceptional wet-weather victories is inherently subjective, a select few are widely considered the best, and Verstappen’s performance in Sao Paulo on Sunday seems worthy of inclusion. Formula 1 enthusiasts are familiar with the candidates for such a list: Jim Clark’s victory at Spa in Belgium in 1963, where he won by nearly five minutes and lapped every competitor except second-placed Jack Brabham. Jackie Stewart’s win by four minutes amidst fog and rain at the Nurburgring in 1968. Ayrton Senna’s stunning triumph at the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park, where he lapped all but second-placed Damon Hill after making five pit stops in variable conditions, highlighted by an outstanding first lap where he overtook four cars to seize the lead. Michael Schumacher’s dominant display in Spain in 1996. Lewis Hamilton’s win by over a minute at Silverstone in 2008. Additional examples could be included, such as Jenson Button’s dramatic last-to-first victory in Canada in 2011, and Gilles Villeneuve’s overwhelming performance at Watkins Glen in 1979. These races consistently feature common traits: demanding conditions, frequently poor visibility, and a single driver performing at a distinctly superior level compared to the other competitors. These characteristics were evident in Verstappen’s performance in Brazil on Sunday. His initial lap was exceptional, as he advanced from 17th on the starting grid (effectively 15th due to Alex Albon and Lance Stroll not commencing the race) to 11th position. By lap 11, he had progressed to sixth. It is true that Verstappen did not navigate through the group comprising Yuki Tsunoda’s RB, Esteban Ocon’s Alpine, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with the anticipated speed. Indeed, the victory hinged on a strategic risk related to a red flag, which effectively removed George Russell and Lando Norris from contention. This outcome greatly displeased Russell, who disagreed with Mercedes’ choice to bring him in for new tires during the virtual safety car period. Furthermore, in unobstructed conditions, Verstappen did not exhibit the substantial lead that Schumacher and Hamilton demonstrated in Barcelona and Silverstone, where they were both up to five seconds per lap quicker than any other driver. Nevertheless, his overtakes were precise and efficient, particularly the maneuver to seize the lead from Esteban Ocon’s Alpine, which was executed impressively by braking from a distance of at least two car lengths behind. After gaining the lead, Verstappen maintained a significantly higher pace than all other competitors, showcasing a superior performance level. His victory also possessed a unique element not present in the other classic races mentioned: winning from such a distant starting position, which is particularly noteworthy. Consequently, there are ample justifications to place this performance among the elite, a sentiment that extends to Verstappen himself. This is not the first instance of his exceptional skill in wet conditions; he has consistently performed well in such circumstances. His impressive recovery to third place in Brazil in 2016 serves as an illustration. Howard inquired why Lewis Hamilton, despite his reputation for excellent wet-weather driving, was not competitive when Max Verstappen’s wet drive was superb and George Russell was competitive. Hamilton experienced a challenging weekend in Brazil, which occurred shortly after another equally difficult weekend in Austin two weeks prior. Regardless of a driver’s skill, confidence in their vehicle is essential for optimal performance. The Mercedes car is reportedly not providing Hamilton with the necessary feedback, and in Brazil, he was unable to establish confidence in the car’s rear. Following the race on Sunday, he stated: “The race was crap but the driving Senna’s car (a demo run in the 1990 McLaren-Honda MP4-6) was the best thing ever. I’m still happy and grateful I had that experience here in Interlagos.” He also noted, “An amazing reception from the fans. They turned up at 3am, I think, this morning. Let’s not talk about the car because the car is no good.” Hamilton expressed, “It’s devastating to have these bad races in the second half of the season, but we are trying coming into the weekends, and it’s definitely not acceptable and not good enough.” He added, “We and I have to take accountability. I am doing my best with what I’ve got. The car has been the worst this weekend. We will have to find out what it is. One of the cars is working a lot better, so there is obviously potential there.” When questioned about how he would approach the final three races, he responded, “Put my focus on to something else.” He continued, “I don’t care if I finish ahead or behind George. I just want to keep the car out of the wall and try to score points for the team. Give me a car that doesn’t bounce off the track and hopefully we can get a better result.” He further remarked that the conclusion of the season “can’t come soon enough.” A confluence of problems appears to be at play. Since the introduction of the current regulations in 2022, Hamilton has generally found it difficult to extract optimal performance from the ground-effect cars during qualifying. This challenge stems from the cars’ unresponsiveness to aggressive driving, a point noted by several drivers. However, it is still unclear why Hamilton, who was previously recognized for his adaptability, has not been able to adjust to the necessary driving style, and why he occasionally struggles in comparison to Russell. Brazil represented an anomaly, as his race performances have typically been consistently strong. This year, he has secured two victories and, prior to Sunday, held a championship lead over Russell, despite trailing his teammate significantly in qualifying, both in direct comparisons and average pace. Evidently, there is a disconnect between Hamilton and the Mercedes car,