• Brazilian Grand Prix

Hamilton 'quite numb' after final race for McLaren

ESPN Staff
November 25, 2012 « Massa 'very emotional' with home podium | Echoes of 2006 for Schumacher »
Lewis Hamilton's race was ended prematurely as Nico Hulkenberg tried to overtake for the lead © Press Association
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Lewis Hamilton said that he was feeling "quite numb" after his final race as a McLaren driver ended with retirement from the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Having started on pole, Hamilton dropped behind Jenson Button and Nico Hulkenberg in the opening part of the race but had retaken the lead when Hulkenberg took him out attempting a pass in to turn one. That prevented Hamilton from finishing his final race with the team, and he likened his feelings post-race to those when he lost the 2007 championship at Interlagos.

"I feel a little bit like in 2007; quite numb," Hamilton said. "It's quite mixed emotions at the moment; I feel sad that we were leading and we didn't get to see through the race - I love to always see the end of the race - and obviously because I'm leaving. But I'm excited also for the future, so I'm looking forward to just having a new start next year and hopefully eventually at some stage I'll have a little bit of luck going my way."

Hamilton revealed that Hulkenberg had also failed to apologise to him immediately after the race.

"A big congratulations to Jenson and to Sebastian. They did a fantastic job, a little bit unfortunate; the dude [Hulkenberg] didn't even come and say sorry so that says a lot! But that's what happens when you're racing with the less experienced. I feel OK and I'm happy for the team that we still got a win, and I look forward to the future."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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