Lewis Hamilton issues statement after criticising ‘risky’ Mercedes strategy

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Lewis Hamilton has issued a statement on social media after criticising Mercedes strategy during the Singapore Grand Prix which cost him a podium place.

The seven-time World Champion started from third on the grid and was the only driver that started inside the top 10 on the soft tyre, while everyone else opted for the medium or hard tyres.

Mercedes tried to jump Max Verstappen at the start, but Lewis Hamilton had a bad getaway and was unable to make an overtake stick into Turn 1.

Later in the stint, he could be heard over team radio during the race telling his engineer, Peter Bonnington, that his opening stint on the soft tyre was “way too short” and left him vulnerable to the other cars around him.

It was initially speculated that the strategy indicated that Hamilton was no longer part of the pre-race briefings at Mercedes, owing to his move to Ferrari next season. But speaking on his Instagram, Hamilton clarified that he agreed to the ‘risky’ strategy from the start.

Lewis Hamilton confirms he agreed to ‘risky’ Singapore strategy

Teammate George Russell, who finished ahead of Hamilton in fourth, said knew before the race that Hamilton would not approve of the bold strategy choice.

He eventually finished 85 seconds off race winner Lando Norris and a further 24 seconds behind Russell. The ill-fated gamble was something Hamilton agreed on before the start of the race but admitted that Mercedes ‘miscalculated’ what other teams would do.

“Hey all, heading into the weekend focusing on training for the next race. I know there has been a lot of chat around the last one and our strategy in Singapore which just didn’t work. When that happens it’s natural to be frustrated and easy for me to speak out in that frustration,” wrote Hamilton.

“We knew starting on soft tyres was a bold and risky move but one that could give us an advantage at the start and I ultimately agreed with that recommendation. We also miscalculated what others might do.”

“Make no mistake though, things are cool with the team. As with all successful partnerships, you have to have some lows to have the highs. We’re not afraid of those tricky conversations and challenging moments which is why we have achieved so much together. We will support each other to the very end.”

Mercedes ‘in the woods’ about tyre issue they couldn’t solve in Singapore

Mercedes suffered a difficult weekend in Singapore due to a tyre problem they were ‘in the woods’ about throughout the weekend.

Despite Hamilton’s problems at the start, in the second stint, both drivers suffered badly from overheating rears when they switched to the hard compound.

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This tyre worked well for them at the previous race in Azerbaijan towards the end of the race, but they suffered badly from excessive wear around the Marina Bay Street Circuit which had just been resurfaced.

Mercedes is planning on bringing a significant car upgrade to the next race in Austin, following a four-week break between the end of September and the beginning of October.