Lewis Hamilton to miss media duties after falling ill following Singapore GP
Lewis Hamilton missed his post-race media commitments after feeling unwell following Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix. Ferrari confirmed the seven-time world champion had been assessed by the FIA medical team and excused from planned interviews.
Hamilton had a frustrating evening at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, finishing sixth after a late-race drop in pace cost him a potential podium. The British driver has previously apologized to Ferrari over a strategic decision that saw him struggle with worn tires in the final stages.
Ferrari said Hamilton had been examined by the FIA circuit medical team and had been given permission to skip the post-race interviews with the drivers. The team did not immediately provide further details on his condition.
Singapore Grand Prix is one of the most physically demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar, with high temperatures and humidity taking a toll on the drivers. Shortly after the race, Hamilton was seen kneeling as he waited behind the other drivers for the mandatory weigh-in.
The Ferrari driver battled for a podium finish before his race unraveled in the closing laps, eventually allowing team-mate Charles Leclerc, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to move forward.
HAMILTON TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
Hamilton’s post-race radio message indicated that he had decided to stay on the older tires rather than risk losing track position at the second pit stop. The decision proved costly as his grip deteriorated leaving him vulnerable to the drivers behind him.
“Sorry guys, I let you down with that strategy today. My call and I lost valuable points,” Hamilton said over the team radio.
“I’ll try to make up for it in the next one. But great job with the pit stop.” Lewis Hamilton made a big mistake in his pit stop strategy during the Singapore GP. (Image: Reuters)
The seven-time champion later elaborated on his decision in a statement issued by Ferrari and accepted responsibility for a strategy that failed to produce the result he had hoped for.
Hamilton explained that he attempted a one-stop race after starting on the slower medium compound, but the approach did not go to plan. He also revealed that he missed a pit stop when the opportunity arose to change tires during the virtual safety car period.
The slowdown was triggered when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll stopped on track with a clutch problem, prompting several drivers to make pit stops. Leclerc seized the opportunity while Hamilton stayed on track and let the increasingly worn soft tires take care of him.
“It wasn’t the result we were looking for today and it was down to me,” Hamilton said.
“It’s a painful lesson today, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made. Not every call goes right and I can accept that I got it wrong, but I’m sorry to the team for the points we lost today.”
He added that Ferrari’s efforts over the weekend made the result particularly disappointing and vowed to come back stronger next race.
“They gave so much every weekend and I wanted to give more for them. I’ll keep working and fight in the next race,” he said.
FERRARI LAMENTS MISSED PODIUM
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed his frustration with the result, suggesting that Hamilton missed out on a valuable opportunity to finish on the podium.
The team called both drivers into the pits during the virtual safety car period, believing this strategy would help Ferrari secure a double podium. Leclerc eventually finished second, his best result since July, while Hamilton dropped to sixth.
“We called him, we called them both into the pits. It would have been P2-P3 because we were P2-P3 on track, and he missed the pit, and honestly it’s a bit of a shame because he also misses out on the podium,” Vasseur told Sky Sports.
“It was crystal clear on the radio. But now let’s focus on (the next race in) Austin.”
Hamilton’s difficult night ended in disappointment after briefly taking second place. With his tires gone, Leclerc moved ahead ahead of Antonelli, Norris and Piastri, who also found their way through the closing stages.
The result left Hamilton with a lot to think about as Ferrari turned their attention to the next round in Austin. His immediate priority, however, was his recovery after feeling unwell following a tough race in Singapore.
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