Hamilton beats the odds to claim victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton launched himself back into the F1 title battle with a commanding win of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton fought back from tenth on the grid to win the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. (LAT Images)
Hamilton started tenth on the grid and surged through the field, scoring his 101st career Formula One victory and 80th for Mercedes.
"I am so, so grateful for the incredible support I've had this weekend from the people of Brazil," said Hamilton, "I've not had this kind of support since Silverstone!"
"To hear the crowd throughout the weekend has been really humbling."
"I've just been saying 'Obrigado Brasil' all weekend."
"What a race!"
"The team here and at the factory did an amazing job, and Valtteri did a great job today to get as many points as possible."
Hamilton was disqualified from Friday qualifying and started from the rear of the grid for the Sprint on Saturday at Interlagos.
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver made his way up through the field to fifth, before another five-place penalty for an engine change put him tenth at the start of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
"I was pushing as hard as I could from last on grid yesterday, and then with another 5-place penalty today," said Hamilton.
"This was, I think, the hardest weekend I've had."
"But my dad said 'you reminded me of 2004' when I was in Formula 3 in Bahrain - I started last and I finished 10th and then I finished 1st so, this one is for my dad."
Lewis Hamilton celebrates with his team in Brazil. (LAT Images)
Hamilton is still second in the Drivers' Championship, narrowing the gap to rival Max Verstappen to 14 points.
"Coming into this weekend I never, ever thought we'd be able to close the gap like we have today."
"And then things just kept going against us, but I think it really shows, just never give up."
"Whatever you're facing, you've just got to keep pushing, keep tumbling away, keep fighting."
"Never, ever stop fighting."
"That's how I've approached this weekend."
"It feels like a first because I don't feel like I've had a win for a long time."
Mercedes F1 boss criticised the driving of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. (LAT Images)
Max Verstappen finished second behind Hamilton.
“I knew today would be difficult, but I did everything I could, we were just lacking a little bit," said Verstappen.
"At least it was a fun race, of course I would have liked to have won but realistically I think this was a good result."
"Lewis and I were fighting for position on multiple occasions, I think it was hard racing but good racing and that’s how it should be."
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff criticised the ferocity of Verstappen's driving, claiming the Dutch driver should have been penalised.
"Max forced him off the road at Turn 4 and Lewis was very clever to avoid contact."
"It was great to see these amazing drivers but not giving a 5 second penalty?"
"Come on!"
Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium in Brazil. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
Verstappen said he had driven the best possible race given the differing advantages of the rival cars and Hamilton's fresh engine.
"I was hoping for a little bit more performance but this result is definitely the maximum we could do."
"Top speed wise it was tough to defend, you can clearly see when they take a fresh engine that it gives them a bit more power, so hopefully that will die down over the coming races."
"There are three races coming up that will be completely different again, so we’ll see how it goes."
Valtteri Bottas finished third, with Sergio Pérez in fourth and earning an extra championship point for the fastest lap.
Just three races remain in the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship, with the series heading to Qatar for the first time on November 19-21.
