'Using the Qualifying session as a test' – Hamilton reflects on grid penalties and power unit changes in Brazil

Lewis Hamilton admits that he was "using the Qualifying session as a test", with the Ferrari driver set to start at the back of the grid for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The seven-time World Champion started Saturday in Brazil with a 10-place grid penalty, along with team mate Charles Leclerc, after both their cars had an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) change.

But Hamilton suffered problems during Free Practice 3, with Ferrari forced to change more power unit elements ahead of Qualifying which resulted in further grid penalties.

Hamilton went out in the second part of a wet Qualifying, admitting that there was a lack of running in order to save tyres for a potentially wet 71-lap race on Sunday.

"It was a lot of fun out there. It's always fun in the rain. It's very, very tricky, but I had just a lot of fun, just in the few laps that we got," said Hamilton.

"I wish I was still out there battling with the guys, but unfortunately, saving the tyres for tomorrow."

"That's what we're trying to do, yeah," said Hamilton when asked if a charge through the field from P20 was possible.

"It's going to be really tricky conditions, but I love racing in the rain. I was basically using the Qualifying session as a test in making sure the engine is working and making sure that the car felt good, so I feel good for tomorrow."

Leclerc managed to reach the final part of Qualifying and finished fourth fastest, which will be converted to a P14 start after his penalty is applied.

Having claimed to have "learnt a huge amount today" during the wet weather running, the Monegasque driver was hopeful of reaching the podium with a climb through the field.

"I'm feeling good, I'm looking forward to it," said Leclerc. "We knew taking an engine penalty here, we knew that everything is to play for still because you've got crazy weather all the time.

"It's good to see that the weather is still crazy for tomorrow and hopefully that will give us an opportunity to come back on the podium from where we start."