Ted Kravitz spots something ‘unusual’ happening in Lewis Hamilton’s garage at Singapore Grand Prix

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Lewis Hamilton would have been glad that the Singapore Grand Prix ran back-to-back with Azerbaijan. He no doubt wanted to put the events of Baku behind him as quickly as possible.

Hamilton finished ninth last weekend, his poorest result since the fifth race of the season in China (also P9). In Shanghai, he started in 18th after a Q1 exit, while in Baku he began from the pit lane.

The Mercedes driver had initially qualified seventh, but the team opted to take an engine penalty in the belief that he could fight his way back. They knew he’d have to exceed the permitted power unit allocation eventually, and they saw the benefit of doing it in Baku – a track that features a 2km straight.

However, Hamilton struggled to make progress. He spent much of the race toiling in a battle with Haas driver Oliver Bearman, who was competing in just his second GP.

Hamilton had to drive his Mercedes ‘in the weirdest way’ as he complained of the ‘worst balance’ he’d ever had. He revealed afterwards that part of his car hadn’t been built correctly.

The Briton was on course for 11th place before the late collision between Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez. That enabled him to score two points, some consolation at the end of a miserable race.

Ted Kravitz notices what Mercedes mechanic did in Singapore after Lewis Hamilton complaints

Speaking during the second practice session in Singapore, live on Sky Sports F1, presenter Ted Kravitz shared what he’d seen in the Mercedes garage. Hamilton underwent a suspension change as he tried to extract more pace from an underperforming car.

And to make sure that the job was carried out correctly, chief mechanic Matt Deane inspected the work closely. This may offer Hamilton some reassurance.

It wasn’t an unprecedented move from Deane. But Kravitz, who spends most Grand Prix weekends in the pit lane, did deem it ‘unusual’.

He said: “Something unusual I’ve seen. The chief mechanic Matt Deane has been overseeing the rear suspension change that goes on Lewis Hamilton’s car.

“This after he told us yesterday that one of the issues he had in Baku was that a change to the car was not carried out correctly and actually had the opposite effect than was intended.

“Now I’m seeing the chief mechanic just double-checking everything that’s done on Lewis’ car. I think it’s belt and braces. I have seen Matt Deane do that when other things are changed on both cars before.”

Toto Wolff stuns interviewer with answer on Mercedes form

Hamilton is now only seven races from joining Ferrari. The Scuderia are set to finish at least one place above Mercedes in the constructors’ championship.

Their strong run of form after the summer break, with Charles Leclerc bagging a victory and three consecutive podiums, has lifted them 116 points clear of the Silver Arrows. They’re now more focused on challenging McLaren and Red Bull for the title.

Toto Wolff is resigned to finishing fourth, and he said recently that he sees the advantages of doing so. That took the interviewer by surprise, but he pointed out that Mercedes will enjoy more wind tunnel time next year.

Still, it doesn’t seem as if Wolff is particularly optimistic for the rest of the season. Hamilton still hasn’t resolved his qualifying issues and is rapidly running out of time to do so.