Lewis Hamilton acknowledged that opting for the soft tire strategy during the Singapore GP ultimately cost him a competitive result.

In a post-race clarification via his social media handle, the Mercedes driver addressed his frustrated radio message, explaining that it was a reaction to the disappointing outcome rather than the strategy itself.

Starting third on the grid, Mercedes chose an aggressive approach by fitting Hamilton with soft tires, aiming to help him challenge Max Verstappen early in the race. However, the plan faltered as Verstappen undercut him with a pit stop for fresher tires, leaving Hamilton unable to respond. The seven-time world champion ultimately finished sixth.

After the race, Hamilton expressed frustration over the team radio, questioning the strategy. However, in a statement through his Instagram stories, Hamilton clarified that while his radio messages reflected disappointment in the moment, he had agreed to the strategy beforehand.

He acknowledged that the approach was sound, but the team had miscalculated their rivals’ strategies, leading to the unfavorable result.

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Coming out of the race, Lewis Hamilton spoke on the radio saying:

“Sometimes I wonder why I do this.”
Clarifying the strategy and choice during the Singapore race in an Instagram story, Lewis Hamilton wrote:

“Hey all heading into the weekend focused on training for the next race. I know there has been a lot of chat around the last one and our strategy in Singapore which just didn’t work. When that happens it’s natural to be frustrated and easy for me to speak out in that frustration,” he wrote
“We knew starting on soft tires was a bold and risky move but one that could give us an advantage at the start and I ultimately agreed with that recommendation. We also miscalculated what others might do,” he added
Lewis Hamilton rules out conflict within the Mercedes team regarding the Singapore strategy
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were unavailable to the media for a debrief following the Singapore GP due to exhaustion. Hamilton, in particular, faced public speculation surrounding his choice of strategy and his relationship with Mercedes, given his stature as a world champion and his immense popularity.

In response, the 39-year-old driver addressed the chatter, reassuring fans and the media that the dynamic within the team remains positive and supportive, even during challenging moments. Hamilton emphasized that despite the tough race, the team continues to work cohesively toward improving their performance.

Explaining the dynamic with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton further wrote:

“Make no mistake though, things are cool with the team. As with all the successful partnerships, you have to have some lows to have the highs. We’re not afraid of those tricky conversations and challenging moments which is why we achieved so much together. We will support each other to the very end. It’s all love. See you in Austin!”
Lewis Hamilton is currently sixth in the drivers’ standings with 174 points, while Mercedes sits fourth in the constructors’ championship with 329 points. Unlike the momentum they had around this time last year, 2024 has been a challenging season for both the British champion and the Silver Arrows.

In 2023, Mercedes finished second in the constructors’ standings, with Hamilton securing third in the drivers’ championship. Despite standout moments like Hamilton’s win at Silverstone and George Russell’s victory in Austria, the team has struggled to replicate their previous form this season. Tire performance, in particular, has been a persistent issue, hampering their ability to compete consistently with the frontrunners.

Edited by Shirsh