Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished P6 after starting P3 at the Singapore GP. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur came out after the race and revealed that Hamilton was the one who overruled Ferrari’s decision to pit under VSC.
Hamilton was the only driver in the Top 6 to start on the medium tyres. After about 20 laps, when Ferrari asked the Briton to push, he said that he was already pushing. This resulted in the Scuderia moving him from a one-stop strategy to a two-stop.
Lewis Hamilton then pitted for new softs. On Lap 39, Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped on track and caused a VSC. Charles Leclerc pitted, but Lewis Hamilton did not. However, it was later revealed that Ferrari were ready for a double stack, but Hamilton overrode the decision.
Fred Vasseur, speaking with the media after the Singapore GP, revealed that they had called Hamilton in to pit under VSC, but the Briton missed the pit exit.
“The call was to pit two and Lewis decided to stay on track. I think it was a mistake overall. We would’ve gone P2 and P3 today. But he apologised for the strategy, we asked him to call and he didn’t,” said Fred Vasseur
“I’m not angry. Overall, it was a good weekend (…) But today, we had the chance to finish second and third, and it’s a shame to lose points in this way. We need to discuss it with Hamilton to try to avoid such situations happening again in the future,” added the Ferrari team principal.
Charles Leclerc finished the race in P2, less than ten seconds behind Max Verstappen. Hamilton ended up losing positions to Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri on older tires, and only managed P6.
Lewis Hamilton seen by FIA medical team after Singapore GP
Singapore is arguably the most physical race on the calendar. The humidity, along with the heat and hard braking zones, leads to drivers losing up to five kilograms over the race distance.
Lewis Hamilton was seen squatting after getting out of the car in the parc ferme. The unwell Ferrari driver was then taken by the FIA medical team for check-ups. Because of his condition, Hamilton was given permission to miss the media pen duties.
“After the race, Lewis felt unwell and has been seen by the FIA medical team. He has been given permission by the FIA not to attend the post-race Media pen,” was Ferrari’s statement, speaking with the media after the race.
Singapore GP being the final race of the triple header, including the Bahrain GP in Malaysia made it even more physically demanding on the drivers.
Lewis Hamilton apologises to Ferrari after a disastrous F1 Singapore GP result
