Does Lewis Hamilton TRUST Ferrari Pit Wall? | Singapore GP | Up To Speed

Singapore Grand Prix Weekend

The subtitles provide no clock times, so key moments are identified by session and lap.

Sprint

• Delayed, damp start: Heavy rain eased before the cars set off, and the field started on intermediate tires. George Russell made a strong launch but ran wide at the final corner on lap one. He said unexpected engine power pushed him toward the white line; he hit the barriers and spun back across the track. The safety-car response drew criticism for coming too late. The track then dried, but everyone stayed on intermediates, leaving the sprint relatively processional.
• Final lap: Lando Norris tried to pass McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri on the inside. Their cars touched when Norris’s line shifted near the corner, and Piastri went into the wall. Norris continued and scored a point. The stewards judged neither driver substantially at fault. The presenters noted that McLaren’s leadership was furious about the incident.

Qualifying

Max Verstappen took pole by a very narrow margin. Charles Leclerc came within about half a tenth, while Lewis Hamilton repeatedly looked quick through the session.

Grand Prix

• Start: Leclerc attacked Verstappen into the first corner, but Verstappen held the lead with a tightly judged move that avoided contact and stayed within the track limits. Leclerc continued to apply pressure, but Verstappen remained in control and was not seriously challenged.
• Around lap 20: Hamilton reported that he had “no more” from his tires. The medium compound proved less effective than the softs, complicating Ferrari’s split strategies for Hamilton and Leclerc.
• Virtual Safety Car: Hamilton later said Ferrari called him in, but he missed the pit-lane entry and chose to stay out. He tried to stretch his stint and make a one-stop strategy work. Ferrari’s earlier decision not to let him past Leclerc—despite Hamilton’s different strategy—became the episode’s central question about trust in the pit wall. Hamilton subsequently took responsibility, saying he had made the calls himself and apologizing to the team.
• Closing laps: Tire degradation caught Hamilton badly. He lost three places and finished sixth, saying the result did not reflect the car’s pace. He missed the usual post-race press conference and went to the medical area, reportedly suffering from the heat.
• Finish: Verstappen completed a weekend sweep, winning the sprint, taking pole, and winning the Grand Prix. It was his first Singapore Grand Prix victory. Red Bull’s radio problems forced race engineer Gianpiero “GP” Lambiase to improvise a simple signal system for pit-stop decisions; Verstappen handled the disruption and delivered the win.

Championship and Other Performances

Kimi Antonelli extended his lead over teammate George Russell to 102 points, with the presenters describing him as the likely champion. Russell’s weekend worsened after the sprint crash and an engine penalty that sent him to the back for the Grand Prix.

The presenters also praised Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson, and Nico Hülkenberg. They discussed Arvid Lindblad’s difficult low-speed turnarounds and suggested Lawson and Lindblad had made strong cases to stay with Racing Bulls.

Presenters and Source

Will Buxton and David Coulthard; Up to Speed (Global production).