Nico Rosberg said it was ‘hard to watch’ Lewis Hamilton speak about his Spanish Grand Prix after he had struggled in his Ferrari throughout the race while team-mate Charles Leclerc shone

Lewis Hamilton speaking after the Spanish Grand Prix(Image: Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton produced a post-race interview after the Spanish Grand Prix which was “hard to watch”. That was the view of his former team-mate Nico Rosberg who found it difficult to see the seven-time Formula 1 champion to struggle as he did in Barcelona.

It had been a strong qualifying performance from Hamilton, who went fifth fastest. He started two places ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc and said before the race that he was targeting his first Grand Prix podium as a Ferrari driver.

But it turned out that qualifying result would be the highlight of his weekend. Hamilton struggled for pace throughout the 66 laps around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and cut a glum figure as he reacted to it.

“It was just not a great day,” he muttered, speaking to Sky Sports after the race, adding: “Strategy was food, the team did a great job. When pressed for more detail, Hamilton made it clear he was not in a talkative mood.

The Brit said: “I just 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, it’s terrible.”

And when interviewer Rachel Brookes ended the conversation by saying she hoped Ferrari would be able to figure things out for him soon, Hamilton made it clear he is blaming himself for his woes as he replied: “I’m sure they won’t, it’s probably just me.”

Speaking on Sky directly after that interview was broadcast, Hamilton’s old Mercedes team-mate Rosberg seemed concerned. “It’s hard to watch,” the German said. “Today was a horrible day for him because he was just slow out there, which is very unusual.

“Yes, sometimes he’s been a little bit off in qualifying but usually he’s still really really awesome, and today the race was just shockingly bad. And he doesn’t have answers either, so did he have damage on the floor? Because these floors are so sensitive and there can be a little bit there and you can lose a lot of time.

“When you don’t have answers, it’s always really tough as a driver. And then you see your team-mate racing up all the way to third place and being on the podium. In light of the whole season he’s had so far, it’s a really dark situation.”

There was some joy to be found for Ferrari, though, with Leclerc able to make progress. He had gambled on saving an extra set of tyres for the race and that paid off, the Monegasque cutting through from seventh on the grid to secure his third podium of the season.