Hamilton off the Mark for 400th GP with 9th on Another Lap Lost

The most successful Formula 1 driver in terms of starts, Lewis Hamilton became just the 2nd driver in F1 history to be on the grid for 400 Grands Prix, finishing 9th at Interlagos to gain 2 points, and well behind the winner’s 1 lap advantage, while only Fernando Alonso has started more races (444).

The weekend had a false start. Before the landmark he experienced smoke and a vibration in final practice which resulted in Ferrari having to replace his power unit, which then led to penalty points which accumulated to 75 grid places from two changes. He qualified 11th on the grid and started the race 20th on the grid.

The race itself was not all straightforward. A high speed spin which he blamed on a communication problem cost him, but he got back on to the points, though was not able to make any inroads due to the changing tyre strategy of his opponents.

The event is in itself a fitting one. Lewis can add his first world championship at Interlagos to the name from 2008, he’s won the race on a further three occasions and was made an honorary citizen of Brazil in 2022; the few in the calendar’s crowd who hold him in as high-esteem as they do.

The driver sits 4th in the driver’s standings with 261 points, a point behind George Russell and 18 points behind Max Verstappen before finishing in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.