The Mercedes driver starts from fifth on the grid for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and both Aston Martins after a storm cut short the end of qualifying.
Lewis Hamilton has blamed the sudden change in climactic conditions at the end of São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying as the reason why he failed to challenge for pole position at Interlagos.
The Mercedes driver’s best lap was only good enough for fifth quickest, his effort finishing 0.742s off the pole lap set by Max Verstappen.
Hamilton and his rivals had only one attempt due to the impending storm, which hit the track midway through Q3 and triggered red flags with 4:12 left on the clock as dark clouds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms battered the venue.
