Lewis Hamilton Apologises to Ferrari After Singapore GP Strategy Error

Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton has taken full responsibility for the team’s unsuccessful strategy at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Briton started third on the grid but finished sixth after a series of decisions and severe tyre degradation cost him positions.

Hamilton felt unwell due to the extreme heat after the race and received permission from the FIA to skip the media zone. Ferrari subsequently published an official statement on his behalf.

Hamilton started on new medium tyres, hoping to make them last long enough to complete the race with just one pit stop. However, the medium compound did not perform as expected, forcing him to pit on lap 18 for used soft tyres and switch to a two-stop strategy.

When a Virtual Safety Car was deployed after Lance Stroll’s car stopped on track, Ferrari called Hamilton in for another pit stop. However, the Briton missed the pit-lane entrance.

He remained on track and attempted to defend his position while stretching his tyres over an extraordinary 44-lap stint. The heavily worn tyres eventually cost him pace, and Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri all overtook him, leaving him sixth at the finish.

Here is what Hamilton said:

“We didn’t achieve the result we were looking for today, and the mistake was entirely mine.

“On a circuit where overtaking is extremely difficult, you have to try something different. That’s why I chose to start on the medium tyres, with the aim of completing a long stint and making one stop. Unfortunately, the medium compound wasn’t working as well as the soft tyres.

“When the Virtual Safety Car came out, the team called me into the pits, but I missed the entrance. After that, we decided to stay out and fight for position until the end. However, I suffered badly from tyre degradation in the final laps and lost three places. Sixth place doesn’t reflect the pace we had today.

“It was a painful lesson, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made. Not every decision works out, and I can accept it when I get things wrong. However, I’m sorry for the team and for the points we lost. Everyone puts so much work into this, and I wanted to give them more. I’ll keep working and come back stronger for the next race.”

After undergoing medical checks due to heat exhaustion, Hamilton will have two weeks to recover before the next race in Austin.