Hamilton F1 commitment CANCELLED as Mercedes release official…read more.
Lewis Hamilton had an F1 commitment canceled at the Singapore Grand Prix, with Mercedes confirming the decision through an official statement. Heading into the race weekend, the seven-time world champion expressed concerns about Mercedes’ chances, suggesting it might be difficult for the team to even make it into Q3 of qualifying. However, Hamilton exceeded his own expectations, managing to secure P3 on the starting grid. He placed just behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who qualified in second.
Hamilton’s strong qualifying performance set him up well for the race, but the strategy calls made during the race proved to be a major obstacle. The Briton started on soft compound tyres, hoping to gain an early advantage, but this decision ultimately hampered his race. He was forced to pit earlier than many of his competitors to switch to the hard tyres, which turned out to be a challenging compound to manage. Throughout the race, Hamilton expressed his frustration with the tyre strategy over the team radio, noting his struggles to keep the hard tyres in good condition.
Meanwhile, his teammate George Russell, who started in P4, benefited from a later pit stop. After his stop, Russell managed to rejoin the race ahead of Hamilton, despite having started behind him on the grid. Both Mercedes drivers, however, faced further disappointment when they were overtaken by Oscar Piastri, who secured the final spot on the podium. Piastri’s performance meant that neither Hamilton nor Russell could claim a podium finish, adding to what became another challenging weekend for Mercedes.
In the aftermath of the race, Mercedes issued a statement confirming that both Hamilton and Russell would not attend their scheduled post-race media duties. The official statement read, “Unfortunately, neither George nor Lewis will be attending the media pen this evening as they recover from the exertions from this evening’s race.” The team explained that the extreme physical demands of the Singapore Grand Prix had taken a toll on the drivers, particularly due to the intense heat and humidity that characterizes the event.
The Singapore Grand Prix is notorious for its challenging conditions. Not only do drivers have to navigate the tight and twisty street circuit for 62 laps, but they must also contend with the sweltering heat and high humidity. Inside the cockpit, temperatures soar, making the race one of the most physically demanding on the calendar. It is estimated that drivers can lose up to 4kg of sweat during the race, further adding to the strain on their bodies.
In the case of Hamilton and Russell, both drivers were visibly drained following the race, with the team opting to allow them to recover rather than face the media immediately. Mercedes assured fans and reporters that quotes from both drivers would be included in their official post-race press release, which would be made available later in the evening.
Hamilton and Russell weren’t the only drivers feeling the effects of the Singapore heat. Franco Colapinto, competing in his first race at the Marina Bay Circuit, also struggled with the physical toll of the race. According to reports, Colapinto was so exhausted after the race that he was initially unable to speak to his Williams team, underscoring just how grueling the event can be, especially for those unaccustomed to the unique demands of the Singapore Grand Prix.
For Hamilton, the result was particularly disappointing, as he had shown promising pace in qualifying but was unable to convert that into a podium finish. His early pit stop and struggles with the hard tyres ultimately saw him finish outside the top three, while Russell’s strategy allowed him to emerge ahead briefly before being overtaken by Piastri.
The race marked another frustrating weekend for Mercedes as they continue to grapple with the challenges of competing against Red Bull and McLaren in the 2024 season. With Hamilton set to leave for Ferrari at the end of the season, the team will be eager to finish the year on a stronger note. However, the Singapore Grand Prix once again highlighted the areas where Mercedes needs to improve if they are to return to their former dominance in Formula 1.
The Singapore Grand Prix proved to be a tough test for Hamilton, Russell, and the rest of the field. While Hamilton’s early optimism after qualifying was justified by his P3 start, the race itself unfolded differently, with strategy calls and tyre issues costing him a potential podium finish. Mercedes’ decision to cancel the drivers’ post-race media appearances underscored the extreme physical challenges the drivers faced in the intense Singapore heat, adding yet another chapter to the difficulties faced by the team this season.
