Jenson Button Applauds Lewis Hamilton's Post-Race Apology at Singapore GP

Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, started the Singapore Grand Prix with high hopes of a podium finish. Positioned third on the grid, Hamilton chose an alternative strategy, opting for medium tyres while those around him started on softs. Unfortunately, this strategy didn’t pay off. He was forced into an early pit stop and later found himself stretching his soft tyres to the limit, ultimately losing positions to Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri.

Hamilton had a chance to make a second pit stop during a virtual safety car caused by Lance Stroll's retirement but declined Ferrari's call to box. While this decision initially gained him track position over Charles Leclerc, it proved detrimental in the long run. After the race, Hamilton took to the team radio to apologize, acknowledging his role in the strategy that cost valuable points. "Sorry boys, I let you down today with that strategy, my call," he admitted. "I lost us valuable points, I’ll try and make up for it in the next one. Great job with pit stops."

Jenson Button, who once shared a garage with Hamilton, commented on Sky Sports F1, dismissing any notion of a rift between Hamilton and his team. Button emphasized that Hamilton's willingness to own the mistake not only shielded his team from criticism but also demonstrated his integrity. "I think he just wanted to make his call on the race, and he thought it was the right one," Button remarked. "He didn’t want to be sat behind his teammate for the rest of the race, basically. He wanted to give it a go, and he knew his pace was there when he was on the soft tyre."

Button further praised Hamilton for his swift apology post-race, suggesting it was the best way to handle the situation. "I really respect him for apologising at the end of the race, straight after the race. It’s the best way to do it, and now they move on," he added.

Despite the setback, Ferrari remains comfortably ahead of McLaren in the constructors’ standings, leading by 105 points. In Singapore, Ferrari and Red Bull both scored 26 points, mitigating the impact of Hamilton's error to a single race.

Ferrari's focus now shifts to the upcoming races, with Hamilton keen to make amends for the points lost in Singapore.