Ferrari ace Lewis Hamilton: strategy blunder and bout of weakness in Singapore

Immediately after the chequered flag was waved, Lewis Hamilton took responsibility for the decision not to pit during a late safety car period. This left the seven-time world champion trailing in the closing stages. He was in third place behind the eventual winner, Max Verstappen, and his team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc decided to take the opportunity to change tyres with minimal loss of time, which initially saw him drop behind Hamilton. However, he was soon able to overtake the record-holding Grand Prix winner with ease. And it wasn’t just Leclerc who overtook him. Lando Norris, who, like Hamilton, made just one pit stop, as well as Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, also overtook the Briton, who was struggling with his deteriorating tyres.

Hamilton eventually crossed the finish line in sixth place and, whilst still on his way back to the Ferrari pit, apologised over the radio: “I’m sorry, lads, I let you down with the strategy today. It was my decision, and I’ve cost us valuable points. I’ll try to make up for it next time. But great job on the pit stop.” His race engineer, Carlos Santi, replied: “Understood. Thanks, Lewis.”

No media engagements following lapse

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur emphasised during his post-race press conference that the team had called Hamilton into the pits. “But he missed the pit entry.” The Frenchman refused to accept that there had been a strategic error on the team’s part.

Hamilton himself did not speak to the journalists, as he was feeling unwell. Footage from the Parc Fermé shows him dropping to his knees. Shortly after crossing the finish line, the team announced: “After the race, Lewis felt unwell and was examined by the FIA medical team. He has been given permission by the FIA to cancel his media engagements.”

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