Hamilton accepts blame for Singapore strategy error as Antonelli nears title

Lewis Hamilton has apologised to Ferrari after acknowledging that his decision to ignore team strategy played a role in his downfall during the Singapore Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion, who was running second alongside teammate Charles Leclerc, saw his race unravel in the closing stages, ultimately crossing the line in sixth place.

Hamilton engaged with the pit wall over the radio during the cool-down lap to express his regret. “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 said.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed the incident, noting that while Hamilton failed to comply with the order to pit under the virtual safety car, the situation is being handled with a forward-looking perspective. “Clearly we asked them to pit. Charles pitted. Lewis didn’t want to pit… And then he realised it was the wrong call,” Vasseur explained. “It’s not a drama for me that he made the wrong call. We’re all making mistakes sometimes. Now we have to look ahead and make mistakes positively.”

In an official statement, Hamilton elaborated on the tactical misjudgment. He revealed that after being forced into an earlier pit stop than planned due to poor medium tyre performance, he opted to stay out during the virtual safety car period to try and maintain track position. However, he struggled significantly with tyre degradation in the final laps and lost three positions.

“It’s a painful lesson, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made,” Hamilton stated. “Not every call will work out, and I can accept getting it wrong but I’m sorry for the team for the points we lost today.”

The error has profound implications for the Drivers’ Championship. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, who finished third behind winner Max Verstappen and Leclerc, now stands on the verge of clinching his maiden title at the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin. Antonelli’s lead over teammate George Russell, who recovered to ninth, has extended to 102 points, while his gap to Hamilton is 111 points.

To secure the championship in the US, the 20-year-old Italian needs to finish at least 125 points clear of Hamilton by the season’s end. If Antonelli wins the race in Austin with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower, he will become the youngest champion in Formula 1 history.

Antonelli remained measured regarding the mathematical possibility of an early coronation. “For sure, but at the same time, I know it’s very close,” he said. “I just need to make sure that I keep doing the best I can. This weekend I haven’t particularly driven that well, but I feel confident that a week to reset and I’m really looking forward to being back in Austin.”

Mercedes entered the race with two different car specifications to diagnose issues with a recent aerodynamic upgrade introduced in Malaysia. Antonelli drove the updated version while Russell used the previous spec. The team reported progress in understanding the new package, though they noted the car remains sensitive and operates within a narrow performance window.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen claimed his first victory of the season in Singapore, extending Red Bull’s winning streak to two races and signalling a return to competitiveness. “Our car has taken a really nice step forward. It’s just been more driveable and more predictable,” Verstappen said. He cautioned, however, that challenges remain, citing the bumpy track in Austin and the high-altitude conditions expected in Mexico.

The conclusion of the season faces potential uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East. While F1 intends to complete the full schedule, including races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, a escalation in hostilities could force cancellations, potentially ending the season at Imola on December 6.