Hamilton admits strategy mistake

Lewis Hamilton took full responsibility for not making an additional pit stop during the last safety car period at the Singapore Grand Prix, which cost him a podium finish. He fell to sixth place in the final laps due to deteriorating tires.

Ferrari's missed chance

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc started behind Max Verstappen but failed to overtake the Dutchman at the start or during the race. Leclerc eventually finished second, but the team missed a chance to challenge Verstappen more effectively.

Tire choice and safety car

Hamilton’s decision to stay on track during the virtual safety car period on lap 39, after Lance Stroll’s crash, meant he missed an opportunity to fit fresh soft tires. Leclerc took advantage of the stop, while Hamilton chose to continue with his one-stop strategy.

Hamilton’s radio confession

During the final lap, Hamilton told his race engineer, "I let you down today with this strategy. It was my decision and I cost us valuable points." He acknowledged the mistake but praised his team’s pit stop performance.

Tire degradation and position loss

Hamilton struggled in the final laps due to soft tires that degraded quickly. He lost three positions, ending up sixth despite the car’s strong pace. He explained that the medium tires he started on did not perform as well as the soft tires.

Ferrari’s response

Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, supported Hamilton, saying he chose to stay on track when the team suggested a pit stop. While he regretted the lost podium, Vasseur emphasized that the weekend was overall positive and urged the team to focus on the next race.