Hamilton takes blame for Singapore strategy call as Ferrari lose double podium

Lewis Hamilton accepted responsibility for a strategy decision that left him sixth at the Singapore Grand Prix, after Ferrari had been positioned to put both cars on the podium. According to BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, Hamilton stayed out when the team wanted him to stop during a virtual safety car, then lost three places as his tyres deteriorated late in the race.

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In a statement issued by Ferrari, Hamilton said he missed the pit entry when the call first came and subsequently chose to defend his track position to the finish. He apologised to the team for the points lost and acknowledged that the result did not represent the car's pace. Charles Leclerc took second behind Max Verstappen, while Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli finished third.

Hamilton's race had already departed from his original plan. He started on a new set of medium tyres, intending to extend his opening stint and complete the race with one stop. But the mediums did not perform as hoped, prompting an earlier switch to soft tyres. Hamilton said his pace improved during that second stint, though he was unable to make the progress he needed.

His first stop came six laps before Leclerc's. When his team-mate rejoined, Hamilton was close behind and initially quicker, BBC Sport reported. Ferrari nevertheless kept Leclerc ahead. Team principal Frederic Vasseur explained that the decision reflected Leclerc's later stop and tyre advantage. Hamilton remained within two seconds for another 10 laps before beginning to drop back shortly before the virtual safety car.

Ferrari then called both drivers into the pits, with Leclerc stopping and returning to soft tyres. Vasseur said Hamilton's decision not to stop was a mistake, but he declined to treat it as a major crisis, acknowledging that errors were part of racing for both drivers and management. Hamilton did not attend the post-race media interviews after reporting that he felt unwell and receiving permission to miss them.

The result also strengthened Antonelli's championship position. His advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell reached 102 points, with Hamilton 111 behind. BBC Sport reported that Antonelli could secure the title at the next round in Austin, although the championship calculations remained subject to uncertainty over the remaining calendar. Verstappen, meanwhile, claimed his first Singapore grand prix victory and his second consecutive race win.