'Sorry boys': Hamilton takes blame for botched tyre call

Singapore: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton admitted his mistake in the tyre call that cost him and Ferrari a second podium place at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. Both Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc were instructed to pit on lap 39 by Ferrari, triggered by a virtual safety car due to Lance Stroll's breakdown.

Leclerc took advantage of a quick pit stop under the VSC to replace his medium tyres with fresh softs and secured the second place finish. However, Hamilton opted to remain out on his older soft tyres, a decision that would greatly impact his race outcome. He was passed by Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri, culminating in a sixth-place finish – almost 46 seconds behind Leclerc at the finish line.

Apologetic, Hamilton stated on team radio, "Sorry boys, I let you down today with that strategy. My call, and I lost us valuable points. I'll try and make up for it in the next one. Great job with the pit stop though." While Hamilton's engineer Carlo Santi acknowledged, "Understood, thank you Lewis," Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was less forgiving.

"We called him, we called them both to pit," Vasseur told Sky Sports, expressing disappointment that Hamilton missed the pit entry and consequently lost a podium position. Despite the setback, Vasseur emphasized the need to focus on the upcoming Austin race, stating, "We have to be focused on the future. The performance this weekend was OK.

We have to be focused on the future." Hamilton's blunder has reduced his lead over fourth-placed Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings to eight points, following Verstappen's maiden Singapore Grand Prix victory.