Hamilton is now without a top-three finish in 21 appearances for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton said he is trapped in a “nightmare” after his debut season at Ferrari took another “disastrous” twist in Brazil.

Hamilton qualified only 13th, and then crashed into the back of Alpine’s Franco Colapinto at the end of the opening lap in Interlagos.

The seven-time world champion broke his front wing and dropped to last before he was forced to withdraw from the race with irreparable damage sustained in the collision.

He was deemed by the stewards to be “wholly responsible” for the crash and was handed a five-second penalty and one point on his licence.

Hamilton, 40, said: “This is a nightmare, and I’ve been living it for a while.

“The flip between the dream of driving for this amazing team, and then the nightmare of results that we’ve had, the ups and downs, it is challenging.

“This weekend has been disastrous and disappointing for everyone. I am trying to keep my head above water and remain positive.”

Hamilton is now without a top-three finish in 21 appearances for Ferrari since his much-hyped transfer from Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton said he is trapped in a ‘nightmare’

 | REUTERS

He trails team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was running third when he was taken out of the race, by 66 points in the world championship.

Hamilton continued: “Charles did a great job in qualifying, so there is some performance in that car.

“At this point, I have to believe there is something to come out of all these hardships that we have been going through. I am sure we are destined for something positive in the future.

“Maybe we are getting all our bad luck out of the way this year… who knows? We will not give up and we will come back fighting at the next race.”

Hamilton has struggled all weekend at Interlagos | PA

While Ferrari and Hamilton struggled, Lando Norris edged closer to being crowned champion of the world as he won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Oscar Piastri finished only fifth after being hit with a 10-second penalty.

A dominant Norris crossed the line in Interlagos 10.3 seconds clear of runner-up Kimi Antonelli.

Max Verstappen was third following a remarkable drive by the Red Bull man after he started last but one.

Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire | REUTERS

Norris now leads Piastri by 24 points in the championship standings.

Verstappen is 49 points adrift, with only 83 points to play for across the concluding three rounds.

George Russell held off Piastri to take fourth.

Norris can now afford to finish second to Piastri at the final three races, as well as the final sprint round of the season in Qatar, and still take the title.