Ferrari or Red Bull? Hamilton and Leclerc Dispute Hadjar's Singapore Claim

Lewis Hamilton has responded to Isack Hadjar's assertion that Ferrari had the superior car at the Singapore Grand Prix, suggesting Max Verstappen could have won with it. This claim has been met with skepticism from both Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen has been in fine form recently, clinching consecutive victories as the United States Grand Prix approaches. However, Hadjar believes that Ferrari was actually the team with the advantage at Marina Bay. Leclerc, however, was quick to label Hadjar’s perspective as "nonsense."

Verstappen's victory in Singapore came after he outqualified Leclerc and Hamilton, despite Ferrari's attempts to outmaneuver him with strategic choices that ultimately fell short. Hadjar, however, contended that Ferrari should have been the frontrunner.

"I think the car is still very hard to drive," Hadjar noted, reflecting on Ferrari's performance. "In Malaysia, it was dominant, but I don’t think in Singapore it was the fastest car. That’s what I believe. If you put Max in the Ferrari, he would have won the race with more margin. That’s my opinion."

Hadjar cited Verstappen's marginal pole position and Ferrari's tire strategy as factors influencing his view. "Ferrari didn’t have new tyres in the race. Not on the soft, so this has an effect as well," he added.

Leclerc was dismissive of Hadjar’s analysis, pointing out the complexities involved in car performance and race outcomes. "Isack has no idea what kind of car we drive, and I have no idea what kind of car he drives," Leclerc remarked. "It’s such a tight field that it's very difficult for us to predict."

Hamilton, while acknowledging Hadjar’s talent, also disagreed with his assessment. "Red Bull have done an amazing job for many years," Hamilton said. "They’ve built the best engine and have consistently had amazing success."

Hamilton reflected on Red Bull's strengths: "They were just as quick through all the corners as us in the last race, and you know that’s been our strength. So, they’ve matched us now through the corners, and they’re three, four tenths quicker down the straights."

While Hamilton remains focused on future races, he acknowledged the uphill battle against Red Bull’s current form. "We have a very small upgrade this weekend. It’s less than a tenth, so I don’t think that propels us forward to necessarily challenge that deficit," he admitted.

The debate illuminates the complexities of F1, where every race is a blend of driver skill, car performance, and strategic decisions. Despite differing views, it’s clear both Hamilton and Leclerc respect the fine margins that separate victory from defeat.