Lewis Hamilton drops 3-word reaction to getting eliminated in SQ2 of the F1 Brazilian GP sprint shootout

Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in the SQ2 session at the 2025 Brazilian GP sprint qualifying. The two Scuderia drivers struggled in the SQ1 session, followed by elimination for Hamilton in the following session. The seven-time F1 champion dropped a 3 word reaction after the SQ2 disappointment.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled in the SQ1 session and were on the verge of getting eliminated when they made small improvements on their final lap and barely made it to SQ2. After the banker laps in the SQ2, both Ferrari drivers were again on the verge of getting eliminated and needed to improve on their final lap.

Lewis Hamilton was already in the elimination race when he started his final lap in SQ2 with his teammate Charles Leclerc in P9, ahead of him on track. The Monegasque spun around on his final lap and brought out the yellow flag as the seven-time champion passed his Ferrari teammate and failed to improve.

F1 Grand Prix of Brazil - Practice & Sprint Qualifying - Source: Getty

The #44 driver was eliminated in SQ2 while his teammate barely made it despite the spin. As Hamilton made his way into the pit lane and was stopped for the random FIA check, his race engineer, Ricciardo Adami, revealed the SQ2 result,

“P11 and box,” said Ricciardo Adami

“Yeah, everytime mate,” responded Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton had a difficult time in the SF25 since the Belgian GP but made improvements in the last couple of races, suggesting he's feeling comfortable in the car. The Brazilian GP sprint qualifying result suggests both Ferrari drivers struggled at Interlagos.

Rain is expected at Interlagos ahead of the Sprint race on Saturday, which can put Hamilton in play for points. Lando Norris took the pole position with Hamilton's replacement at Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli, starting P2. Leclerc only managed P8 in the SQ3 and will start the Sprint qualifying alongside Lance Stroll on the fourth row.

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Lewis Hamilton detailed Ferrari's “progress” ahead of the Brazilian GP

Lewis Hamilton just missed the podium at the US GP and was in the running for a podium at the Mexican GP when a 10-second penalty for leaving the track put him out of contention. Coming into the Brazilian GP, the Briton spoke with Ferrari.com and suggested that the team had made progress since the summer break, as he said,

“Well, I think we’ve definitely made a lot of progress over the past month or so. Now we just need to keep pushing in the same direction here in Brazil and see what we can achieve. The team is united and in great spirits.”

Both Hamilton and Leclerc struggled with the front locking up during the sprint qualifying, which resulted in a poor starting position for the two.