‘Not for the cameras’ – Lewis Hamilton issues private apology to reporter after frustrated interview

Lewis Hamilton apologised for letting his Ferrari woes get the better of him following a disappointing Spanish Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion snapped at F1 interviewer Rachel Brookes after being tasked with dissecting another difficult day.

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The 40-year-old usually boasts an incredible record at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, but the circuit proved unforgiving on Sunday.

The Brit bemoaned more struggles with his Ferrari car after being overtaken by regular backmarker Nico Hulkenberg late in the race.

Hamilton ultimately crossed the line in seventh, which was later upgraded to P6 following Max Verstappen’s post-race penalty.

However, that came as little consolation, with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc on the podium having qualified behind him.

Hamilton, who had publicly shared his ambition of a top-three finish on Saturday, looked visibly emotional as he arrived at the media pen.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the driver issued curt answers to the first two questions while repeatedly shaking his head.

When F1 interviewer Brookes told him, ‘I hate seeing you in this mood’, Hamilton shot back: “Well, what do you want me to say?

“We had a really bad day, and I’ve got nothing to say. It was a difficult day. There’s nothing else to add to it.

He added: “It was terrible. There’s no point explaining it.

“It’s not your fault. I just don’t know what to say.”

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Brookes then attempted to offer the star some comfort by saying she hoped Ferrari could find answers for Hamilton.

But the former Mercedes man delivered a pessimistic response: “I’m sure they won’t, the answer is probably just me.”

Hamilton’s brutally honest assessment suggested his lack of race pace in Barcelona was down to his own struggles rather than the car.

Despite converting a Sprint pole to win in China, the motorsport icon has struggled in the main Grands Prix so far in 2025.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has since revealed that Hamilton actually picked up floor damage during his second stint in Spain.

As a result, F1’s No.44 had his balance thrown off, which allowed Hulkenberg, driving a Kick Sauber car that was bottom in the constructors’ before the chequered flag, to beat him for speed.

David Croft has now come out in defence of Hamilton, while revealing he apologised to his Sky colleague Brookes for how he acted.

F1’s leading commentator said on The Fast and The Curious podcast: “[Lewis Hamilton] was really down on himself.

“And no one likes to see that because at the end of the day, whether you’re a fan or not, Lewis Hamilton is the greatest racing driver we’ve ever seen.

“Statistically, he is the greatest. I think he’s the greatest even without the stats.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and should be applauded for that because it does a lot of good when he wears his heart on his sleeve.

“He did apologise to Rachel Brookes for being so down in the dumps off camera.

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“He said, ‘I’m really sorry about that. I’m just so down.’

“And that just shows the extent that he really was down. He’s not putting this on for the cameras, trust me.

“And once again, it’s right after the race. He’s not had time for a debrief. He’s not had time to have a chat with his race engineer.

“So he probably didn’t know the extent of whatever damage the car had at the time he spoke to Rachel.

“And he probably didn’t realise that it was the car that was hindering him more so than his driving in that one.

“And look, when you’re in a Ferrari and you’re overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg, albeit in a Ferrari-powered Sauber, you’re going to question, ‘Is it me really? Am I doing something wrong here?’ Because it just didn’t go for him really from the outset.”