Mercedes strategy call contributed to Hamilton spin

Some miscommunication is partly to blame for Hamilton's costly spin.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 off the circuit 09

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 Team and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 and Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05

Lewis Hamilton says he blames himself for the spin that cost him the victory in the Brazilian GP ... Despite it resulting from a team strategy call.

Lewis thought he was on his in-lap after Nico Rosberg and thus took everything he could out of the tyres, only to be told he should run another lap. Lacking grip, he spun at Turn 4, losing around seven seconds.

Although he got back on Nico's gearbox, he did not have the momentum with which to pass, and had to settle for the runner-up spot.

I clearly had a lot more pace than Nico today ... H did a good job to not make any mistakes while I was there, so I’m looking forward to the next race.

Lewis Hamilton

The result does at least mean he will still win title should a ROS-HAM result be repeated in Abu Dhabi.

Miscommunication responsible for spin

“I think ultimately it cost me the win,” he said. “I mean, I was much quicker up until that point and on that lap I’d gone a second quicker whilst Nico pitted, and I thought I was going to pit at the end of that lap so I used everything of the tyres. The next lap, I had nothing left. Either way, at the end of the day, I made a mistake, I locked the rears into Turn Four and with the under-rotation, just spun me around. Second time it’s happened this weekend. So, no-one’s fault but mine.

“Still, great result for the team. Nico drove really well, great, defensive, no mistakes and ultimately we got a one-two. I really was pushing right to the chequered flag, which is what motor racing’s all about. So I really enjoyed it.

“Overall, I’m really happy. I came back, I clearly had a lot more pace than Nico today. I know that he would have seen that, obviously, by closing down the seven seconds [gap], but he did a good job to not make any mistakes while I was there, so I’m looking forward to the next race.

Losing ground in middle sector

Asked why he lost time to Nico in the middle sector he said: “In the middle sector it’s all downforce. Due to being right behind him, I couldn’t get the exit of turn nine so I would lose out through that middle sector and I couldn’t stay close in the last sector. Obviously if I was in clean air it would be different.”