Lewis Hamilton ‘wiped tears’ from under his helmet after encountering Ferrari issue he ‘never expected’

Lewis Hamilton finished sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend, a result that looks solid on paper. But that masks the scale of his pain at Ferrari.

Hamilton found some grounds for optimism on Saturday as he outqualified teammate Charles Leclerc for just the second time this season. He hadn’t outpaced the Monegasque since China.

Setting off from fifth on the grid, the seven-time world champion quickly gained a place with a fine move on former teammate George Russell. The fast-starting Leclerc followed him through.

With the 27-year-old clearly faster, Ferrari once again issued team orders and Hamilton let him by. He was later undercut by Russell.

A late safety car seemed to present an opportunity to regain that ground. But instead, Hamilton lost touch with the leaders and suffered the ignominy of being overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg in the Sauber.

The C45 had been the slowest car on the grid prior to the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Hamilton crossed the line seventh, but moved up a place due to Max Verstappen’s 10-second penalty.

Lewis Hamilton left tearful after miserable final stint at Spanish Grand Prix

German publication Bild write that Hamilton has ‘never’ been as devastated as he was after Sunday’s race. He has vacillated between defiant optimism and dejection all season.

Hamilton ‘never expected’ to hit this ‘low point’ after making a dream move. Leclerc scored a second consecutive podium to open up a 23-point advantage.

The six-time Catalunya winner apparently ‘exploded’ in the cockpit of his SF-25 when the Sauber came through. Some F1 fans think there’s ‘no coming back’ for Hamilton after Hulkenberg passed him in the customer car.

It’s said that he ‘wiped tears’ from under his helmet on his way back to the pits. He had to compose himself before getting out of the car.

Fred Vasseur’s strange answer on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari issues

Speaking on the team radio, Hamilton said the Ferrari was ‘the worst it’s ever been’. He’s cried after races before, but they’ve generally been tears of joy – like at the 2024 British GP when he ended his long victory drought.

Nico Rosberg feels sorry for Hamilton, his old title rival at Mercedes. He says Ferrari have let their superstar signing down.

Team principal Fred Vasseur said Hamilton had an issue with his car at the end of the race, which is why he struggled so much.

Strangely, though, Vasseur wouldn’t offer any details about the problem. And Hamilton himself has accepted blame for his poor showing already.