Toto Wolff ranks Lewis Hamilton's Brazil victory "among his best"

Hamilton in Brazil — Photo: © LAT Images

São Paulo Grand Prix

Wolff ranks Hamilton's Brazil victory "among his best"

Hamilton took his 101st career win in incredible style in São Paulo

Sam Hall

Monday 15 November 2021 18:30

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has ranked Lewis Hamilton's against-the-odds São Paulo Grand Prix victory "among the best" of the seven-time F1 champion's career.

Despite the difficulties faced across the weekend at Interlagos, Hamilton delivered a stunning fightback following his disqualification from qualifying on Friday.

Starting from the rear of the grid for the 24-lap sprint on Saturday, Hamilton made up 15 places to finish fifth but still dropped a further two points to championship rival Max Verstappen who was runner-up in the event.

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With a five-place grid drop for another change that resulted in him starting 10th for the grand prix, Hamilton had carved his way through to third by the end of lap five.

After clearing Red Bull's Sergio Perez, Hamilton then endured a titanic duel with Verstappen and after narrowly avoiding a collision on lap 48, managed to make a move 11 laps later before going on to win by 10.5secs.

“You need to put the whole weekend together," said Wolff. "He was on pole on Friday then climbed back from P20 to P5 in a 24-lap race and then on Sunday, he climbed from P10 to P1.

“Overall, I think definitely I rate that among the best performances I have ever seen from him.”

The result means Hamilton has closed the drivers' championship gap to 14 points whilst Mercedes has extended its advantage in the constructors' standings to 11.

Although calling into question several decisions made by the stewards across the weekend, Wolff added: "I just want to say we are exuberant about our victory and happy because we were rising against adversity but one week ago.

"We walked away from Mexico having lost and that is why it can swing from weekend to weekend."

“[This is] two great teams and great drivers that fight for the championship and whoever wins at the end deserves the victory.”