Ferrari boss reveals Lewis Hamilton deliberately ignored Singapore GP pit orders
Scuderia Ferrari executed a highly competitive 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, but the Maranello garage is leaving the Marina Bay Street Circuit wondering what could have been. While Charles Leclerc successfully secured second place behind race winner Max Verstappen, his team-mate Lewis Hamilton tumbled down the order to finish in sixth position. The massive drop in track position was the direct ...…
The Ferrari team's performance at the Singapore GP was marked by a significant strategic error during a mid-race safety car period. While Charles Leclerc secured second place behind race winner Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton fell to sixth position, a drop directly attributed to Hamilton's deliberate decision to ignore explicit pit instructions to change his tyres.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that it was Hamilton's unilateral choice, not a communication breakdown, that led to his decision to stay out on worn rubber. This risky move left Hamilton highly vulnerable during the subsequent restart, allowing Mercedes' rookie driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to execute a crucial late-race overtake on both Hamilton and his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.
The loss of grip due to the old tyres further hampered Hamilton's ability to recover his position. Vasseur expressed frustration that Ferrari missed out on a substantial Constructors Championship points haul, as Hamilton's adherence to pit orders would have resulted in a likely P3 finish. Despite the setback, Ferrari remains committed to maintaining team cohesion as they prepare for the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
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