Red Bull’s Alex Albon had looked likely to push Hamilton for second place – but ten laps before the end made contact with the Mercedes, and dropped back into the pack.
It was a similar incident to the one between the pair back in Interlagos in November last year – for which Hamilton took responsibility.
And it was the same outcome – a five-second time penalty for the world champion – meaning that third-placed Charles Leclerc took second, and Lando Norris of McLaren took third, his first podium finish in Formula One.
Hamilton had not started the day in ideal fashion, losing three places on the grid for failing to slow for a yellow flag during Saturday’s qualifying – meaning he was bumped down to the third row.
Max Verstappen – one of six drivers who opted not to take a knee on the grid in support of Black Lives Matter – chugged down the field on Lap 11, his Red Bull losing power and falling back from P2.
The Dutchman was not the only one to suffer a mechanical failure – Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo retired on Lap 19 due to a cooling issue, followed by Racing Point’s Lance Stroll.
Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari tried to attack Carlos Sainz once the race began again – but ended up making contact, spinning, and dropping down the field to P15.