Lewis Hamilton didn’t hold back in a tense interview following the Singapore Grand Prix, openly expressing frustration with Mercedes’ race strategy. The seven-time world champion was left “perplexed” by a series of decisions that hampered his performance during the race, marking yet another difficult outing for the Brit in what has become a challenging season.
A Disappointing Race
Hamilton, who had hoped for a strong showing at the Marina Bay Circuit, found himself battling both strategy missteps and the unforgiving conditions of the Singapore GP. Starting the race on soft compound tires, he initially seemed poised to capitalize on his grid position. However, Mercedes’ decision to pit him early for hard tires—a move Hamilton later questioned—ultimately compromised his race pace.
In a candid interview after the race, Hamilton voiced his dissatisfaction with how things played out. “I’m not sure what the thinking was behind that call,” Hamilton said. “I was perplexed by the decision, and it just didn’t work out as we had hoped.”
Russell Overtakes, Mercedes Slips
Hamilton’s struggles with tire management allowed teammate George Russell, who had started behind him in P4, to leapfrog him after his own pit stop. This added to the frustration, as Russell’s strategy seemed to work better despite the similar challenges posed by the race.
Both Mercedes drivers were later passed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured the final podium spot, leaving Hamilton without a top-three finish. It was a bitter pill to swallow, particularly given the high hopes Hamilton had heading into the weekend.
Physical and Mental Toll
The Singapore GP, known for its grueling nature, pushed drivers to their limits with intense heat and humidity. Hamilton and his fellow competitors endured 62 laps in conditions that led to extreme physical strain. Drivers are estimated to lose up to 4kg in sweat during the race, further complicating the battle to stay focused and maintain pace.
Despite the taxing race, Hamilton’s disappointment seemed to stem more from Mercedes’ strategy choices than the physical toll. “We just didn’t execute well today,” Hamilton admitted. “It’s frustrating because I know we can do better.”
Post-Race Tension
Following the race, Mercedes issued a statement confirming that neither Hamilton nor Russell would participate in their scheduled media duties, citing the drivers’ need to recover from the exertion of the race. Instead, quotes from the pair were distributed through the team’s post-race press release.
However, in the brief and somewhat awkward interview that Hamilton did give, the tension between driver and team was evident. While he didn’t go as far as blaming the team outright, his dissatisfaction with the decisions made during the race was clear.
For Hamilton, the Singapore GP serves as another reminder of the struggles Mercedes has faced throughout the 2024 season. As the team continues to search for consistency and improved race strategies, Hamilton will be eager to put this weekend behind him and focus on the remaining races of the calendar.
With Mercedes’ recent struggles now front and center, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds to Hamilton’s pointed criticisms and whether adjustments can be made to better suit the legendary driver’s push for a stronger finish to the season.
