Lando Norris mocks Lewis Hamilton after reading Toto Wolff’s Singapore Grand Prix comments

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Lewis Hamilton endured another tough race at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend. He slipped from a promising P3 on the grid to P6 at the chequered flag.

Mercedes, and in particular Hamilton, had struggled throughout practice. But they made the right set-up changes to both cars before qualifying and were able to lock out the second row.

In what has become a rare feat, Hamilton outqualified teammate George Russell. It was just the fifth time he’d managed to do so in 18 rounds.

But the seven-time world champion was the only front-running driver to start the race on soft tyres. Mercedes hoped he’d gain track position over Max Verstappen (P2) or even polesitter Lando Norris, but the gamble backfired.

Hamilton inevitably had to come into the pits earlier than his rivals, and this meant they were far quicker later in the race. Russell overcut him, while Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc passed him with ease.

He’d started outside the top 10 in the Netherlands and Azerbaijan, first because of a poor qualifying and second because of a penalty. While the subsequent comeback drives were a slog, this race was painful in a different way.

Lando Norris scoffs at Lewis Hamilton and George Russell over Toto Wolff heatstroke claims

After the race, neither Hamilton nor Russell fulfilled their media obligations. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reported that both drivers were suffering from ‘borderline heat stroke’ (via F1).

The Singapore Grand Prix is perhaps the most physically demanding race of the year. The temperatures, which typically surpass 30 degrees even at night, and the humidity make it a brutal experience inside the cockpit.

Wolff assured fans that both drivers were ‘fine’ after an ice bath. They now have a lengthy break in which to recover, with the United States Grand Prix due to take place on 20 October.

Speaking on Maw Fewtrell’s live stream, however, race-winner Norris was far from impressed. As he read Wolff’s comments, he suggested that every driver was going through the same thing.

“[Reading] Toto Wolff issues health update on Hamilton and Russell,” he said. “F*****g hell, it’s tough for everyone! Everyone’s got heatstroke if they’ve got heatstroke.”

The moment George Russell knew Lewis Hamilton wouldn’t be ‘happy’ at Singapore Grand Prix

In the end, Mercedes’ result probably reflected the pace of their car. Piastri, who started fifth, was out of position in a McLaren car that dominated the race through Norris, and Leclerc had shown victory-contending pace on Friday.

But Hamilton would at least have wanted the opportunity to fight for a podium. And he’ll feel that his strategy left him powerless to resist.

Hamilton may no longer be in Mercedes’ pre-race meetings ahead of his move to Ferrari. He expressed surprise over the radio when called into the pits.

Russell knew Hamilton wouldn’t be ‘happy’ when he saw his starting tyres. That again suggests he wasn’t necessarily consulted in the matter, raising questions Wolff will have to answer in Austin.