Lewis Hamilton delivers powerful Ferrari message after 'disaster' weekend

Lewis Hamilton has asserted Ferrari will “not give up” on its end-of-season aspirations despite a “disaster” weekend in Brazil.

Hamilton struggled for pace throughout the São Paulo event, failing to reach the top 10 shootout in both the sprint and grand prix qualifying.

On Sunday, the seven-time champion suffered damage when he was hit by Carlos Sainz at the opening corner, before destroying his front wing later in the lap after tipping the back of Franco Colapinto at high speed.

Explaining the two incidents, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365: "I don’t really know what happened at Turn 1, but obviously it’s not great to be hit and after that the car was just gone.

“He [Colapinto] made a mistake out of the last corner, I got a good tow. As I started to pull out, I felt like he moved at the same time.”

Hamilton retired shortly after the halfway mark of the race, joining team-mate Charles Leclerc on the sidelines who parked up after being caught up in an incident with Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri.

Ferrari has now fallen to fourth place in the constructors' standings. With three rounds remaining, Hamilton asserted Ferrari has not lost sight of its goal.

”It's obviously a disaster for us, a disappointment for everyone in the team,” he said. “But I'm trying to keep my head above water.

"I'm trying to remain positive. Charles did a great job in qualifying so there is some performance in our car.

“At this point I just have to believe that something will come out of all these hardships we’re going through.

“I’m sure we’re destined for something positive in the future. Maybe we’re getting all of our bad luck out of the way this year. We won’t give up.”