Lewis Hamilton could have qualified third in last Sunday’s Singapore race, but Mercedes’ strategy, which started the Grand Prix on soft tyres, cost the seven-time world champion dearly.
A poorly calculated strategy meant the seven-time world champion finished in sixth place. On Saturday, the Mercedes driver took to his Instagram Story to comment on the race and tell fans about his relationship with the team.
In hindsight, Mercedes realise that they made a mistake by putting the Briton on soft tyres.
Hamilton started on the soft tyre while everyone around him, including teammate George Russell, was on the medium tyre, and shortly after the lights went out he began to struggle to keep up with Lando Norris and Max Verstappen ahead of him, so he made a fairly early pit stop.
During the race, Hamilton also found it difficult to reach the finish line on his choice of hard tyres, leading him to question the team’s strategy – he was eventually overtaken by team-mates Russell, Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
At the debriefing in Singapore, technical director James Allison admitted the decision was a “clear error.”
What did Hamilton say about the strategy?
Hamilton was held last Monday at an event hosted by his partner Mercedes ‘Fuel Petronas. He explained his words after understanding the social network what British people said, and after thinking that his team was essential.
“Hey guys, heading into the weekend focused on training for the next race. I know there has been a lot of talk about the last race and how our strategy in Singapore didn’t work out,” the seven-time world champion wrote on his Instagram Story.
It’s natural to be upset when that happens, and when you’re upset it’s easy to speak up. I knew starting on the soft tyre was a bold and risky move, but ultimately I agreed with the recommendation as it would give me an advantage at the start.
We also miscalculated what others could do.” He added: “But make no mistake, the team is fine. Like all successful partnerships, you have to have some downs to have some ups.
We are not afraid of these complex conversations and complex moments, so we have achieved so much together.
We will support each other to the very end. It’s all about love. See you in Austin.” Hamilton will have six more races with the championship-winning team as he prepares to join Ferrari in 2025.