Lewis Hamilton apologises for Singapore Grand Prix VSC strategy choice after finishing P6

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Lewis Hamilton has apologised for his strategy decisions after the Singapore Grand Prix, describing the outcome as “a painful lesson” and saying the call was his responsibility. Speaking following the race, the seven-time World Champion acknowledged that staying on track rather than pitting under the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) backfired and cost his team valuable points.

Hamilton started the race from P3 on the medium tyres before making the first stop to switch to the soft compound. A second opportunity to pit arrived when the VSC was deployed, with Ferrari team mate Charles Leclerc among the drivers who came in.

Hamilton said he was also called in during the VSC phase but initially missed the pit entry. After that, he decided to remain on track in an attempt to stretch a one-stop strategy to the end of the race rather than changing tyres again.

According to Hamilton, his progress was then limited as the tyres aged through the closing stages. He reported that he continued to struggle with tyre degradation, dropping to sixth place by the time the chequered flag fell, a finishing position he said did not reflect the pace the car had earlier in the race.

In his radio message after the race, Hamilton told his team: “Sorry boys. I let you down today with that strategy. My call, and I lost us valuable points. I'll try and make up for it in the next one.” He later expanded on the same theme in a statement released after the event.

Hamilton said that at a circuit that is difficult to overtake, he felt it required a different approach, explaining that he chose to begin on a new medium tyre with the intention of going long and trying to make a one-stop strategy work. He added that while he had a “good second stint” and the car’s pace returned, he could not make the progress required once the VSC decision was made.

Addressing the specific moment under the VSC, Hamilton stated that the team called him in, but he missed the entry. He then confirmed that he stayed out to try to hold track position, but said that in the closing laps he was “struggling massively with tyre degradation” and lost three places to finish P6.

Ferrari also confirmed after the race that Hamilton felt unwell and was assessed by the FIA medical team, who granted permission for him to not attend the media pen. Despite that, Hamilton’s reflections were subsequently made public in the statement, in which he reiterated that he accepts blame for the points lost and said he will “continue to put the work in and come back fighting at the next race.”