Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur addressed the failed strategy that caused Lewis Hamilton to drop from third to sixth place at the Singapore Grand Prix. Vasseur clarified that the decision to stay on track during the Virtual Safety Car was Hamilton's own choice, despite the team's recommendation to pit.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the complex communication and decision-making dynamics between F1 drivers and their pit wall strategists.
As Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur faced the media following Formula 1’s Singapore Grand Prix, the hot topic was Lewis Hamilton.
Most of the questions revolved around the unsuccessful strategy that saw Hamilton collapse from third to sixth in the Marina Bay race, as he stayed out under the VSC to complete a mammoth 44-lap stint on soft tyres.
Across the last 22 of those, following the neutralisation, Hamilton haemorrhaged 2.5s a lap on average relative to Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. That is how he ended up sixth behind Kimi Antonelli and the McLarens.
Also covering this story
20 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
2026 F1 Singapore Grand Prix attracts 301,294 fans, second-highest attendance on record
Lawson to start eighth for Singapore GP after strong sprint result
F1 Singapore GP: Verstappen continues recent dominance with pole
F1 sprint race LIVE: Singapore Grand Prix 2026 times, results, grid, radio & updates
Verstappen beats Ferraris to Singapore pole
In pictures: Full throttle at the F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2026
Singapore Grand Prix: George Russell crashes out of sprint after taking early lead
team collision in 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Sprint
‘Exudes arrogance’: Norris called out over ‘smug’ reply to Piastri crash as tense exchange emerges
Verstappen on pole as he hunts first Singapore Grand Prix win
Oscar Piastri ruled out of sprint race after collision with McLaren teammate Lando Norris; Singapore Grand Prix sprint race results
points weekend with composed performance in Singapore Grand Prix
McLaren last-lap horror as Lando Norris takes out Oscar Piastri
Singapore GP Sprint: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton after George Russell crashes out from lead
Resurgent Verstappen holds off Leclerc to seal dominant F1 Singapore GP win
Resurgent Max Verstappen holds off Charles Leclerc to seal dominant Singapore GP win
Winners and losers from F1's wet Singapore GP sprint race
Motor racing-Singapore not ideal for sprints, say Hamilton and Verstappen
Winners and losers from Singapore GP 2026 F1 qualifying - The Race
Last-minute change made to F1 Sprint grid at Singapore Grand Prix
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in