Source: Official Team Post via X
Ferrari Defends Strategy After Hamilton's Singapore Slip
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has defended the team's strategy after Lewis Hamilton's sixth-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton took responsibility for a key pit stop decision that affected his race outcome.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton ended his Singapore Grand Prix with a sixth-place finish, a result that left him and the team reflecting on strategy calls. Starting third on the grid, Hamilton couldn't keep pace with pole-sitter Max Verstappen and teammate Charles Leclerc, eventually slipping to sixth by the end of the race.
Hamilton initially held his starting position despite using Medium tires while those around him opted for Softs. However, he soon found himself trailing behind, reporting a lack of pace and ending up six seconds adrift of Leclerc. Ferrari decided to bring Hamilton into the pits on Lap 18 for a switch to Soft tires.
"The tire choice was tricky," Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur explained. "We were all in the dark between Medium and Soft. We decided to split the cars, which was the right approach to challenge Max. The Medium wasn't performing well compared to the Soft today, so we pitted early to change strategy."
Hamilton's race faced further challenges when he found himself behind Leclerc after pitting, leading to complaints over losing time. Despite Ferrari's strategy call, Hamilton's progress was impeded as Leclerc pitted later, allowing him to maintain a tire advantage.
Hamilton briefly moved into second place when Leclerc pitted again under the Virtual Safety Car on Lap 40. However, on worn tires, he soon fell back, losing positions to his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, and the McLaren duo.
After the race, Hamilton, feeling unwell, skipped his usual media duties but took responsibility over the radio for not executing the team's strategy. "Sorry boys. I let you down today with that strategy," he said. "My call, and I lost us valuable points. I'll try and make up for it in the next one."
Vasseur backed Hamilton's admission, noting that the team had advised both drivers to pit under the Virtual Safety Car. "We asked him to pit," Vasseur confirmed. "Don't blame the team. He apologized and acknowledged it was his call."
When pressed about radio instructions, a clearly frustrated Vasseur reiterated the point. "The driver apologized, and there's no blame on the team," he stated firmly. "We were P2, P3 on track and asked both cars to pit. One chose not to. It's as simple as that."