Lewis Hamilton directed to FIA medical staff following demanding Singapore Grand Prix.
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After an exhausting 62-lap contest under the intense heat and humidity of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Scuderia Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was notably missing from the required post-race media area.
A medical exemption
A representative from Ferrari has officially stated that the seven-time world champion needed immediate medical care after exiting the SF-26 cockpit.
"A Ferrari spokesperson indicated that Hamilton felt unwell following the race and was attended to by the FIA medical team," Luke Smith reported. Due to his physical state, the governing body explicitly allowed Hamilton to forgo all standard post-race media duties.
The online racing outlet RacingNews365 also corroborated the statement from the Ferrari garage, highlighting that the demanding physical challenges of the tough street circuit necessitated a thorough examination by track physicians.
The cost of a strategy error
The severe physical strain of the Singapore climate was significantly aggravated by a crucial strategic mistake made by Hamilton during the race. By choosing to disregard a pit instruction from the Ferrari pitwall during a late virtual safety car period, Hamilton had to navigate the challenging circuit on severely worn, older tyres.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren
This significant loss of grip left him utterly unable to maintain his position on the track in the final laps of the grand prix. Hamilton dramatically fell down the rankings, overtaken by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli and both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. After initially holding a strong position for a podium finish, he ultimately crossed the line in a disappointing sixth place.
Interestingly, this is not the first instance where the stifling Marina Bay conditions have taken a toll on the British driver. During the 2024 season, both Hamilton and his then-teammate at Mercedes, George Russell, also experienced significant discomfort after the finish in Singapore.
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