Lewis Hamilton reflects on challenging Singapore Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton acknowledged his disappointing performance at the Singapore Grand Prix, attributing the result to a misguided strategy choice during the race, reports BritPanorama.
In a post-race statement, Hamilton expressed regret over his decision to start on medium tyres in a race known for its difficulty in overtaking. “Today wasn’t the result we were looking for and it was on me. At a track that’s difficult to overtake, you need to try something different, and I chose to start on a new medium tyre to go long and try to make a one-stop work. Unfortunately, the medium didn’t perform as well as the soft,” he said.
Despite a promising second stint, where he noted a return to competitive pace, Hamilton struggled to advance his position on the track. “I had a good second stint and the pace was back, but I couldn’t make the progress I needed,” he added. The situation took a turn during the Virtual Safety Car period when the team called him to pit, a move that ultimately backfired as Hamilton missed the entry.
In the latter stages of the race, he faced severe tyre degradation, which led to him conceding three positions. “After that, I decided to stay out and try to hold track position to the end, but in the closing laps, I was struggling massively with tyre degradation and lost three places,” Hamilton concluded.
This race marks another chapter in what has been a challenging season for Hamilton, as the Mercedes driver continues to seek solutions to improve his performance and that of his team. As the circuit’s characteristics challenge even the most seasoned drivers, Hamilton’s experience serves as a reminder of the thin line between strategy and outcome in Formula 1.