Hamilton: Brazil F1 win “feels like the first” after ‘hardest weekend’ 

After being disqualified from Friday qualifying for a technical infringement on the rear wing of his Mercedes, Hamilton climbed from 20th to finish fifth in Saturday’s sprint. 

Hamilton started 10th for Sunday’s grand prix at Interlagos following a grid penalty for an engine change but incredibly fought his way through the field and overtook title rival Max Verstappen to take a sensational sixth win of the season. 

"Coming into this weekend, I never ever thought that we would be able to close the gap like we have today,” Hamilton said after the race in parc ferme. 

"And then these things, they just kept going against us. But I think it really shows, for everyone, just never give up whatever you're facing. 

“You have just got to keep pushing, keep tumbling away, keep fighting, and never, never stop fighting.

"That's really how I approached this week and [took] inspiration from all around.

"But it feels like the first because I don't feel like I have had a win for a long time.”

The victory has helped Hamilton reduce Verstappen’s championship lead down to 14 points with three races remaining this season. 

Hamilton admitted the weekend was one of the hardest he has faced and revealed he had taken inspiration from encouragement from his father, Anthony, who reminded him about a similar recovery drive earlier in his career in Formula 3. 

"The team did an amazing job, Valtteri did a great job today to get as many points as possible," Hamilton said.

"I was pushing. I was pushing as hard as I could. But from last on the grid and then another five-place penalty was I think the hardest weekend I've had.

"But my dad reminded me of 2004, when I was in Formula 3 in Bahrain, and I started last and I finished 10th, and I finished first. So this one is for my dad.”