Hamilton takes blame for Singapore strategy error as Antonelli closes on title

Lewis Hamilton accepted responsibility for a failed tyre strategy after finishing sixth in the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. Formula 1’s official website reported that the Ferrari driver apologised to his team after choosing to remain on track during a virtual safety car period, a decision that left him losing places as his tyres deteriorated late in the race.

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Hamilton had started third on medium tyres, hoping to extend his opening stint and complete the race with one stop. That plan changed when the medium compound proved less effective than the soft, prompting an early switch. Although his pace improved during the second stint, he said he was unable to make the progress he needed, according to Formula 1’s account.

Ferrari called Hamilton in during the virtual safety car, but he missed the pit entry. He then decided to preserve track position rather than stop again, while team-mate Charles Leclerc took fresh tyres. Hamilton subsequently acknowledged that the choice was his and that the resulting loss of three positions did not reflect the performance available from the car.

BBC Sport reported that Ferrari had been positioned for second and third before Hamilton’s late slide. Team principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that both drivers had been called into the pits, but treated the error as something the team needed to learn from. Leclerc finished second behind Max Verstappen, who recorded his first Singapore Grand Prix victory and his second consecutive race win.

Kimi Antonelli completed the podium, extending his championship advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell to 102 points and over Hamilton to 111, according to the BBC. Russell finished ninth after starting at the back. The result left Antonelli with a chance to secure his first world championship at the next round in Austin rather than having to wait until later in the season.

On the currently planned schedule, the BBC reported that Antonelli would clinch the title by winning the United States Grand Prix on 25 October if Russell finished ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. Those calculations remain dependent on the calendar, with uncertainty surrounding the season’s final rounds. A championship this year would make the 20-year-old Formula 1’s youngest title winner.