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He’s won three times in Brazil, but this weekend Lewis Hamilton’s goal is more modest, and arguably more meaningful. The seven-time world champion is still chasing his first podium for Ferrari, and Interlagos might just be the place to do it. For a driver who’s made a career out of finding rhythm in chaos, this is more than a nostalgic return. It’s a test of patience, precision, and pride.
Hamilton and Interlagos: a special bond
Few circuits are as deeply tied to Hamilton’s career as Interlagos. This is where he clinched his first world title in 2008, where he delivered one of his greatest wet-weather drives in 2016, and where he produced a comeback for the ages in 2021, charging from 20th to victory.
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“It’s a track you have to feel rather than calculate,” Hamilton said on Thursday. “You can’t overthink Interlagos; you have to listen to what the car’s telling you.”
That instinct could be crucial this weekend. The circuit’s mix of rhythm and unpredictability rewards experience, and Hamilton knows exactly how to exploit both.
The realistic target
Ferrari heads into the weekend with cautious optimism. The SF-25 performs well in slower corners but still lacks efficiency in the high-speed sections that define sector three. Interlagos combines both, a blend that makes a podium possible, but far from guaranteed.
Mercedes seems slightly stronger on long runs, while Red Bull maintains a clear edge in race pace. Yet Ferrari’s data shows potential gains in the twisty middle sector, where Hamilton’s adaptability could shine.
Chief engineer Diego Ioverno hinted that Ferrari might use Hamilton as the undercut weapon. “His tyre management and feel for grip make him ideal for early stops,” he explained. It’s a strategy Hamilton has used countless times before, patient early on, devastating late in the race.
The Sprint as a springboard
Saturday’s Sprint could be Ferrari’s chance to build rhythm and confidence. Hamilton typically thrives in short formats, where composure and racecraft matter more than raw speed. Even a top-five finish in the Sprint would provide valuable data on tyre behaviour and brake temperatures for the main event.
Ferrari’s race plan for Sunday revolves around the medium and soft compounds, though a late Safety Car could open the door to a second stop. At Interlagos, timing pit stops correctly is an art form, one Hamilton has perfected over the years.
“He knows when to wait and when to strike,” said a Ferrari strategist. “That’s what separates him.”
The Interlagos toolkit
Hamilton’s success here has always relied on three things: flawless out-laps, perfect kerb use through sector two, and patience during Safety Car phases. His 2021 victory was defined by tyre warm-up; he was half a second faster than anyone else over the first two laps after restarts.
That skill is tailor-made for Ferrari’s current challenges. The SF-25 is quick over one lap but struggles to get tyres into their ideal temperature window. Hamilton’s feel for grip could be the missing ingredient. “He just knows what the tyres need,” Charles Leclerc said. “Even in this car, you can see that instinct at work.”
Why a podium matters
For Ferrari, a podium would be more than just a morale boost, it would signal that the Hamilton project is working. For Hamilton himself, it would be a quiet vindication after months of learning a new car, a new system, and a new rhythm.
“It’s a process,” he admitted. “But I can feel the progress now. And Brazil is a place that rewards feeling.”
A podium in São Paulo wouldn’t be a shock win, but it would be symbolic, proof that the red car and its new driver are finally moving in sync. And if anyone knows how to turn emotion into performance at Interlagos, it’s Lewis Hamilton.
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