Lewis Hamilton Owns Up to Strategy Misstep in Singapore GP

Lewis Hamilton found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after the Singapore Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver, who finished in sixth place, admitted that his strategy call was a misjudgment. Feeling unwell post-race, Hamilton was excused from media duties by the FIA but later addressed the issue through a statement.

While his teammate Charles Leclerc and race polesitter Max Verstappen opted for soft tyres, Hamilton chose mediums, hoping to stretch a one-stop strategy. This decision seemed promising until a missed pit entry under Virtual Safety Car conditions left him committed to a long stint on degrading tyres. As the race progressed, Hamilton struggled, ultimately being overtaken by Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri.

Reflecting on the race, Hamilton accepted full responsibility for the strategy that didn't pan out. "Today wasn’t the result we were looking for and it was on me," Hamilton said. "At a track that’s difficult to overtake, you need to try something different. I chose to start on new medium tyres, but unfortunately, they didn’t perform as well as the softs."

He explained that after missing the pit entry during the VSC, he decided to stay out, aiming to maintain track position. However, the tyre degradation proved too severe, costing him three positions before the finish line. Despite the setback, Hamilton was candid about the experience: "A painful lesson today, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made."

Hamilton expressed his disappointment for the team, acknowledging their hard work and his desire to deliver better results. He concluded with a vow to learn from the experience and return stronger at the next race.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc managed to secure a spot on the podium for Ferrari, finishing second. Max Verstappen claimed victory, finally mastering the challenges of the Singapore circuit.