Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that he had misjudged the worsening weather conditions during the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix after ignoring Ferrari’s instruction to pit, with race engineer Carlo Santi expressing disappointment over the costly decision. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion had been fighting for seventh place at Interlagos before remaining on slick tyres as heavy rain returned, eventually losing his opportunity to challenge Liam Lawson.
The incident was particularly frustrating because Hamilton had already experienced a similar pit-entry mistake at the Singapore Grand Prix the previous month. On that occasion, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had made it clear that the British driver was responsible for the decision, which had cost the team a potential podium finish.
Despite an impressive opening lap in Brazil, Hamilton ultimately finished ninth, while Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc secured seventh place after overtaking Lawson. The late strategy error therefore added another disappointing chapter to a race in which the British driver had initially shown considerable recovery potential.
Lewis Hamilton admits Ferrari pit-stop mistake after misjudging Brazil GP rain
The decisive moment came during the closing stages of the Brazilian Grand Prix, when another shower began intensifying over Interlagos.
Hamilton was battling Liam Lawson for seventh position as the conditions deteriorated. With the track becoming increasingly wet, drivers began returning to the pit lane to replace their slick tyres with Intermediates. Ferrari recognised the changing conditions and instructed Hamilton to pit. However, the seven-time champion remained on the circuit, believing that the grip available on his current tyres was still sufficient to continue.
The decision quickly proved costly. As rain continued to fall, the Ferrari driver found himself struggling on a surface that was becoming increasingly unsuitable for slick tyres. An untelevised radio exchange subsequently revealed how the situation had developed. After Carlo Santi instructed him to pit, Hamilton reacted with frustration and admitted that he had missed the pit-lane entrance.
He was therefore forced to complete another lap before being able to change tyres, losing valuable time while the conditions continued to deteriorate.
The episode once again highlighted the importance of Ferrari’s pit-stop timing and strategic decisions, particularly during races affected by rapidly changing weather.
Carlo Santi responds as Lewis Hamilton accepts responsibility
The radio conversation continued on the following lap, with Hamilton acknowledging that he had incorrectly assessed the track conditions.
The British driver recognised that Carlo Santi had warned him about the rain. However, he explained that he had believed it was still possible to continue because the car had felt manageable on the circuit. That assessment proved mistaken as the rain intensified, leaving the seven-time champion increasingly vulnerable on slick tyres.
Carlo Santi responded by expressing regret over the situation, reflecting the missed opportunity after Ferrari had already identified the need to change tyres.
Hamilton’s admission was significant because it demonstrated that he understood the instruction had been given before the conditions became unmanageable. His decision to remain outside was therefore based on his own judgement of the available grip rather than an absence of communication from the pit wall.
The consequences became especially clear shortly before he finally entered the pits.
Lewis Hamilton nearly crashes before returning to the pits at Interlagos
By the time Hamilton approached the pit entry on the following lap, the deteriorating conditions had made his situation considerably more difficult.
The Ferrari driver suffered a half-spin and came dangerously close to ending his race, making contact with the barriers during the incident. His rapidly declining lap times had already indicated that remaining on slick tyres was the wrong decision, but the near-accident provided an even clearer demonstration of how much the track conditions had changed.
Instead of continuing his battle with Liam Lawson, Hamilton was now concentrating on keeping the car under control and reaching the pit lane without suffering further damage.
The mistake also undermined an impressive recovery that had begun almost immediately after the start of the race.
Lewis Hamilton’s impressive Brazil GP recovery ends in ninth place
Hamilton had entered the São Paulo Grand Prix facing a difficult challenge after receiving power unit penalties that left him starting from the back of the grid.
Nevertheless, the seven-time world champion produced an excellent getaway, immediately gaining positions and moving into the points on the opening lap. As the circuit began drying, he was also among the earliest drivers to abandon Intermediate tyres in favour of slicks, demonstrating a willingness to make aggressive strategic decisions in the changing conditions.
That approach initially helped his recovery, but the later return of rain created a different challenge. The decision to delay his final switch back to Intermediates eventually deprived him of the opportunity to fight for a stronger finishing position.
While Hamilton fell back to ninth, Charles Leclerc managed to overtake Liam Lawson and crossed the finish line seventh. The seven-time champion was also lapped by race winner Lando Norris, adding to the disappointment of an afternoon that had begun with considerable promise.
Hamilton’s recovery and subsequent loss of positions can also be considered in the context of Ferrari’s broader race-position progression, which illustrates how changing race circumstances can influence a driver’s eventual result.
Fred Vasseur had already criticised Lewis Hamilton’s Singapore strategy decision
The Brazilian Grand Prix was not the first occasion on which Ferrari had experienced difficulties after Hamilton decided not to follow the team’s preferred pit-stop strategy.
At the Singapore Grand Prix the previous month, the British driver had remained on track during a Virtual Safety Car period, missing an opportunity to make a pit stop while the field was running at reduced speed.
That decision ultimately proved expensive. Hamilton lost the opportunity to secure a potential podium and eventually finished sixth after slipping backwards during the closing stages. Fred Vasseur was unhappy with the outcome and subsequently made it clear that the responsibility did not lie with Ferrari’s pit wall.
Speaking to the media after Singapore, the team principal explained that the instruction to pit had been communicated clearly. He also pointed out that Hamilton had acknowledged his mistake and apologised for letting the team down. The previous controversy had already raised questions about the balance between driver judgement and strategic instructions, particularly when the team believes a pit stop offers a significant competitive advantage.
The details of that earlier incident, including Fred Vasseur’s explanation of the missed Singapore pit stop, provide important context for Ferrari’s renewed disappointment in Brazil.
Ferrari faces renewed questions after another Lewis Hamilton strategy error
Although the consequences at Interlagos were less significant than those in Singapore, the similarities between the two incidents were difficult to ignore.
In Singapore, Hamilton’s decision cost him a realistic opportunity to finish on the podium. In Brazil, Ferrari was competing further down the order, meaning the potential loss was limited to a smaller number of championship points.
Nevertheless, both incidents involved the British driver remaining on track after Ferrari had identified an opportunity to make a pit stop. The latest episode also demonstrated how quickly the driver’s assessment of the conditions could differ from the information being provided by the team.
Hamilton initially believed that continuing on slick tyres was manageable, despite Carlo Santi warning him about the approaching rain. Within a lap, however, he had recognised the mistake, struggled to keep the car on the circuit and lost the opportunity to maintain his challenge for seventh place. For Ferrari, the concern extends beyond the immediate finishing position. The team had already experienced the consequences of a missed pit-stop instruction in Singapore, yet another similar situation developed just weeks later.
With Fred Vasseur having previously emphasised that Hamilton accepted responsibility for his decisions, the latest incident raises further questions about how the Maranello team and its seven-time world champion can avoid repeating costly strategic mistakes.
Carlo Santi’s disappointed response captured the frustration of a missed opportunity, as Hamilton’s impressive recovery from the back of the grid ended with ninth place rather than a stronger result.
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