Lewis Hamilton has taken to social media to reiterate his apology to Ferrari after a “painful lesson” at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Hamilton overcame Ferrari’s strategy while on course for a podium finish, opting not to pit for fresh tires during a virtual safety car period, leaving him vulnerable in the closing stages of the race.
He was overtaken by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who pitted when the VSC came out, and was then passed by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, plus the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as he dropped to sixth.
Hamilton was excused from fulfilling his post-race media duties as he felt fine after competing in difficult conditions, but issued a statement through Ferrari and has posted himself on Instagram on Monday with similar comments.
“Yesterday wasn’t the result we were looking for, and that’s for me. At a track that’s hard to overtake, you have to try something different and I chose a strategy that didn’t work out in the end,” he wrote.
“It’s a painful lesson to learn, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I’ve made. In this sport, not every call is going to work. It’s about admitting when you’re wrong and moving on.
“I’m grateful to the team for the work they’ve done every weekend. P6 doesn’t reflect the pace we had in the car over the weekend, and regardless of the result there are positives to take away.
“Massive thanks to the fans in Singapore for the energy. I will keep working and come back fighting in the next race.”
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Highlights from the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix
Vasseur: Don’t blame the team
Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur was asked several questions about Hamilton’s decision and was keen to stress that he did not blame the team.
“It was clearly a mistake when you see the score, it wasn’t a good call,” Vasseur said.
“But on the other hand, you often have to listen to the drivers because they are in the car and they have the feeling with the tires, but for that it is clear to me. But I respect their feeling in the car.”
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Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirms Lewis Hamilton was supposed to go under the virtual safety car but stayed out
Ferrari were hoping to challenge Max Verstappen for victory in Singapore, but the closest they came was early on, when Leclerc almost drew level with the Red Bull driver but was forced to retire going into Turn 1.
Leclerc put Verstappen under pressure during the early stages of the race before fading and finishing seven seconds behind the Dutchman.
Vasseur stressed that Ferrari “struggled more” compared to Red Bull in traffic, but admits that F1’s top four teams are very close to the pace.
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Watch the start of the Singapore Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen took on Charles Leclerc
“Red Bull is doing well. But we have to fight with McLaren and Mercedes (also),” he said.
“At the beginning of the season Mercedes was flying, then McLaren won two or three (races), then Red Bull won two out of three (races).
“We have four teams in less than two tenths. If someone brings an improvement, the classification can change. The most important thing is to focus on yourself.”
Formula 1 then heads to America for another head-to-head with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
