Lewis Hamilton admits he was “devastated” by how Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix turned out amid a frustrating few weeks on track for Ferrari.

A week on from his high-profile clash with teammate Charles Leclerc in Mexico, Hamilton started at the back of the grid in Brazil after taking an engine penalty.

But the 41-year-old Briton, who famously won from an initial back-of-the-grid start in 2021 at Interlagos, quickly progressed into the top-10 before dropping a few places midway through the 71-lap grand prix.

Hamilton then made the wrong decision in opting to stay out for one lap longer on slick tyres as rain fell in the closing stages. He eventually finished ninth, a lap down on race winner Lando Norris, and has subsequently dropped to fourth in the championship standings.

“Devastated by yesterday’s race, especially with how it ended,” he said on Instagram. “It started so well, but we struggled with the tyres and massive oversteer.

“In those conditions, it made things incredibly difficult. I pushed as hard as I could, but we just didn’t have the pace this weekend. We’ll work to understand why and come back fighting at the next race.

“The team worked so hard on the car all weekend and I’m grateful for every bit of that effort. Ultimately, this isn’t the race we wanted to deliver. Especially to this crowd. Brazil, thank you always for the energy and support. This place holds such a special place in my heart, the love you give to me I send right back to you.”

Hamilton went on to congratulate his former team Mercedes on their first constructors’ triumph in five years. “Well done to Mercedes for winning the constructors championship and the incredible year they’ve had overall,” he added. “Truly deserved.

“To everyone supporting us, thank you for sticking with us through the difficult days as well as the good ones. I feel that support, and I don’t take it for granted.”

F1 now has a week off before the final triple-header of the season in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The final two rounds in the Middle East will proceed as planned, it was confirmed on Tuesday.