Hamilton 'target on chest' claim after Verstappen São Paulo drama
Hamilton 'target on chest' claim after Verstappen São Paulo drama
Lewis Hamilton believes his F1 success has put a "target" on his chest after the latest clash in his rivalry with Max Verstappen.
The duo fought in a bitter title battle last season, with near-misses eventually overflowing into fiery incidents on numerous occasions across the campaign.
Mercedes' early-season frailties prevented a repeat for most of the season, but a resurgence since applying the team's final upgrade of the season at the United States Grand Prix resulted in Hamilton and Verstappen being positioned alongside one another for the start at Interlagos.
A safety car period postponed the early fight but when the race restarted on lap seven, the pair made contact with the FIA race stewards adjudging Verstappen as the main culprit.
Asked if he held any concerns over Verstappen's racing ethic or potential future safety when combatting the two-time champion, Hamilton replied: "I don't have any concerns.
"It is natural when you have the success and numbers on your chest that you become a bit of a target.
"But it is ok, it is nothing I haven't dealt with before."
Seven-time champion Hamilton recovered by charging through the top 10 to secure a one-two for Mercedes, behind George Russell.
It was the first victory of the season for the Silver Arrows and the first one-two for the team since Imola in 2020.
"For me, all I thought in that moment, I thought I would have to retire because the rear wasn't feeling the same after that.," conceded Hamilton.
"It was like 'I am going to lose the team a one-two', that was all I could think of.
"So I was driving across the grass and back on the track and all I could think of was how I could get back to give the team this incredible result.
"Just for me, it is not how you fall, it is how you get back up."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- 8 minutes ago
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
- 2 hours ago
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
- 3 hours ago
Stats show SURPRISE F1 team dominate in crucial category
- Today 11:57
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
- Today 10:57
Hamilton struggles pinned on Mercedes by team's OWN driver
- Today 09:57
Related news
Tsunoda "bullied" by FIA in safety car confusion
Button 'amazed' by Verstappen team order own goal
Alonso makes "two year" Alpine claim after fiery São Paulo weekend
Russell joins historic list as Verstappen falls to F1's newest jinx - São Paulo Grand Prix stats
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860