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Lewis Hamilton Ferrari strategy incident in Singapore

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2026-10-15 13:08 UTC → 2026-10-22 20:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

During the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton opted to override Ferrari team instructions by not pitting during a Virtual Safety Car period on lap 39. Hamilton attempted a one-stop strategy, but severe tire degradation caused him to drop from third place to sixth, eventually being overtaken by Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri. Hamilton apologized to the team, stating, “I let you guys down today with that strategy. My call, and I lost us valuable points.” He explained that bypassing the pit window left him struggling on soft tires in the closing stages. The decision drew scrutiny from racing experts. While Martin Brundle described the move as “bizarre,” Rene Arnoux suggested Hamilton may have felt compelled to make independent decisions following previous strategic errors by the team at Silverstone and Hungary. Former driver Jean Alesi noted that a clash between Hamilton and the pit wall was “bound to happen” given recent tensions. Despite the result, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur and racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi highlighted the car’s competitive pace, with Fittipaldi defending Hamilton’s competitiveness and the ~~team’s~~ team's general direction. Ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Hamilton addressed the error further, stating, “It is hard to accept at first, but it is important to learn from such experiences.” He clarified that his gamble was intended to find a way to win rather than following a strategy that would have left him behind teammate Charles Leclerc. While Hamilton maintained that his relationship with Ferrari remains intact following discussions on future cooperation, former driver Ralf Schumacher expressed concerns regarding potential friction as Hamilton seeks a leadership role within the Scuderia.

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