Lewis Hamilton will start from the back in the Brazilian Grand Prix after crashing in qualifying. Can the four-time Formula One champion win from there?
Four-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton will be in an unfamiliar position at the start of tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil.
Hamilton will start the race in 20th place, which is last on the grid, tomorrow as a result of a wreck he was involved in during qualifying on his first hot lap. He was unable to set a lap time before the incident occurred.
Here is a video of that wreck (must be watched on YouTube).
And here is the starting grid for tomorrow’s race.
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, Mercedes-AMG Petronas
- Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, Scuderia Ferrari
- Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, Scuderia Ferrari
- Max Verstappen, Renault, Red Bull Racing
- Sergio Perez, Mercedes, Force India
- Fernando Alonso, Honda, McLaren
- Nico Hulkenberg, Renault, Renault Sport
- Carlos Sainz Jr., Renault, Renault Sport
- Felipe Massa, Mercedes, Williams Martini Racing
- Esteban Ocon, Mercedes, Force India
- Romain Grosjean, Ferrari, Haas F1
- Stoffel Vandoorne, Honda, McLaren
- Kevin Magnussen, Ferrari, Haas F1
- Daniel Ricciardo, Renault, Red Bull Racing
- Pascal Wehrlein, Ferrari, Sauber
- Marcus Ericsson, Ferrari, Sauber
- Lance Stroll, Mercedes, Williams Martini Racing
- Brendon Hartley, Renault, Scuderia Toro Rosso
- Pierre Gasly, Renault, Scuderia Toro Rosso
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Mercedes-AMG Petronas
With how great Hamilton has been, winning nine of the 18 races contested so far this season and securing his fourth career Formula One championship in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, will he be able to do what no Formula One driver has ever done before and win a race after starting last in the field?
He certainly can, but the odds of that happening are not great.
Here is why he can.
- He is the best driver in the field, as evidenced by the fact that he just won his fourth career Formula One championship.
- He has been fast all weekend in practice.
- He has said that he won’t stop racing hard even with the championship already locked up.
- He is out to prove that the recent tax allegations against him won’t distract him.
But here is why he won’t.
- There are too many competitive cars to pass throughout the field, especially up front.
- He hasn’t been great historically at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, as his only win at the track in his career so far came last season.
- He already has this year’s championship clinched, so while he may be racing hard, there is no real need to get to the front.
More from Formula One
- Formula 1: Top Red Bull threat identified for 2024
- Formula 1: Why the Max Verstappen retirement obsession?
- Formula 1: Williams ‘mistake’ hints Logan Sargeant’s future
- Formula 1 awaiting key confirmation for 2024 season
- Formula 1: The ‘championship’ Max Verstappen only leads by 3 points
If Hamilton is able to pull off the win tomorrow, he will be the first driver in Formula One history to start in last place and win a race. His 20th place starting position would be the 2nd worst starting position of a race winner to only that of John Watson, which was 22nd before he won the 1983 United States Grand Prix West in Long Beach, California. That race, however, featured 26 drivers, so Watson did not start last in the field.
However, the “why he won’t” reasons definitely outweigh the “why he can” reasons simply by using logic and reason. If Hamilton does pull it off, it will be his most impressive win ever — and quite possibly the most impressive race by any Formula One driver ever.
Next: Who is the greatest Formula One driver of all-time?
Will Lewis Hamilton pull off the historic feat by winning tomorrow’s Brazilian Grand Prix after starting in last place? Tune in to the race live on NBC Sports Network at 11:00 AM ET tomorrow to find out.