Hamilton apologises to Ferrari after Singapore strategy blunder that puts Kimi Antonelli on title brink

Lewis Hamilton issued a public apology to Scuderia Ferrari on Sunday after a controversial tyre‑strategy call during the Singapore Grand Prix cost the Italian team a potential victory. The former seven‑time world champion, who was running in second place for Mercedes, opted for a late‑pit stop on lap 45 that left him vulnerable to the undercut from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The move back‑fired, allowing Leclerc to surge ahead and claim the race win.

In a post‑race interview, Hamilton said, “I mis‑calculated the tyre degradation and the timing of the stop. I’m sorry to Ferrari for the lost opportunity.” The apology was echoed by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who added that the team will review its Singapore strategy ahead of the next race. The incident not only altered the podium but also reshaped the championship narrative in the junior formula where Kimi Antonelli, the 2024 FIA Formula 2 title contender, now finds himself a single point away from clinching the crown.

Antonelli, the Red Bull junior driver who has been dominant in the F2 season, benefited indirectly from the reshuffle in the senior class. With Hamilton’s mistake allowing Ferrari to secure maximum points, the points gap between Antonelli and his nearest rival, Théo Pourchaire, narrowed to just one point heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi. Analysts at Motorsport.com noted that the ripple effect of a single strategic error in Formula 1 can cascade through the entire motorsport ladder, especially when title battles are decided by such fine margins.

For Indian fans, the Singapore race aired live on FanCode at 9:30 pm IST, with the post‑race interview and Hamilton’s apology broadcast shortly after. The next race, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, will be shown on FanCode at 8:30 pm IST on 7 October, offering another chance to see how the championship drama unfolds both in F1 and the feeder series.

Source: BBC