Kieran is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs and feature content across the F1 calendar. An NQJ-qualified journalist with more than a decade of experience, he has previously written for publications including MailOnline, the Manchester Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press.
Lewis Hamilton is targeting a points finish from 20th on the grid as he prepares to make his 400th Formula 1 start at the São Paulo Grand Prix, where he won the first of his seven world titles.
The Ferrari driver will become only the second driver to reach 400 starts, after Fernando Alonso. He faces a climb through the field after Ferrari changed further power unit components following trouble in final practice, adding to his grid penalty at Interlagos.
“I feel good. Naturally, it will be tough from 20th,” Hamilton said ahead of the race during the drivers' parade. “It may rain again, so it will be changeable conditions through the day.”
Hamilton said he had saved his intermediate tyres for Sunday and pointed to getting them working as one of his biggest challenges if the rain returned.
“People are saying they are very pointy at the front, so we have to be cautious with the set-up we have,” he said. “I love these conditions, so I am going to have fun. Of course, I would love to get some good points for the team.”
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Hamilton reflects on family sacrifices ahead of 400th start
Interlagos has already been the scene of one of Hamilton’s most memorable drives through the field. He won the 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix from 10th on the grid, passing Max Verstappen on his way to victory. But it was his first title in 2008 and the work his family put into getting him to Formula 1 that were on his mind before Sunday’s race.
“Being in Brazil is always special. I won my first world championship here and grew up watching Ayrton [Senna] here, so it’s always been special,” Hamilton said.
“It’s really crazy to think of where we started as a family, the countless hours that my dad and Linda put into my racing.”
He added: “Crazy, I never thought I would have 400 races, but I am still going, so we’ve got some ways ahead.”
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