‘Grimacing’ Martin Brundle hails ‘stunning’ Lewis Hamilton moment in Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint

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Interlagos is a circuit that Lewis Hamilton holds in the highest regard, and Martin Brundle spotted a ‘stunning’ moment from the seven-time world champion that showcased his vast experience in Formula 1.

The current race weekend in Brazil is Hamilton’s 18th appearance at the Sao Paulo-based circuit as a Formula 1 driver, having stood on the top step of the podium three times thus far.

An honorary citizen of the South American country, Hamilton unveiled an Ayrton Senna-inspired helmet for this year’s edition of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which marked the first time in Ferrari’s history that the Brazilian flag has featured on the head protection of one of their drivers.

Lando Norris ended up victorious in Saturday’s shorter format race, whilst Hamilton took the chequered flag in seventh and two places behind his Ferrari counterpart, Charles Leclerc.

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Martin Brundle hails Lewis Hamilton’s ‘stunning’ start in the Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint race

After qualifying 11th in Friday afternoon’s Sprint shootout, Hamilton was in fine form once the lights dropped at Interlagos to mark the beginning of the Sprint race.

The British driver swiftly made his way up to eighth place after successfully navigating the first chicane, and left Brundle purring at his race craft.

On Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix Sprint (13:09 08/11), David Croft began as they showed a replay of the opening corner of the race by saying, “I wondered why Isack Hadjar just dropped down a bit. He got a bit squeezed by Nico Hulkenberg, and they might have just touched tyres.

“That was to the detriment of Hadjar, who is a big Lewis Hamilton fan, and it was to the benefit of Lewis Hamilton, who sails past the Frenchman into turn one, and now battling away with the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll. That’s a great start from Lewis.”

Brundle then offered his take on the replay of Hamilton’s onboard view, adding, “Stunning, he placed his car beautifully.

“Got off the line really well, did Lewis, and just pure experience, he knew exactly where to put that Ferrari. But you’re always grimacing that somebody on the inside doesn’t make contact and spear into you.”

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Lewis Hamilton was hindered by a late yellow flag in his attempt at trying to overtake Fernando Alonso

After his hot start, Hamilton attempted to move up the order in the shadow of his Monegasque teammate as the lap count increased.

Oscar Piastri’s unfortunate crash saw him get bumped up to P7, but he was unable to capitalise on the slower cars in front to secure a better finishing position.

During the closing stages of the race, Hamilton was prepared to overtake his fierce rival in Fernando Alonso, but was hindered by a last-lap yellow flag on the home straight following a scary crash for home-hero Gabriel Bortoleto at turn one.

Thankfully, the Brazilian driver was unharmed in the incident, but the yellow flag saw both Alonso and Hamilton force a lift as they approached the chequered flag, thus ending any last-gasp attempt to take P6.

The British driver can take a lot of positives from his performance in the Sprint to turn his pace into an even bigger haul of points in Sunday’s Grand Prix.