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Singapore GP: Hamilton and Russell Face Heat and Strategy Setbacks

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell encountered significant challenges during the Singapore Grand Prix, struggling with overheating issues that led them to miss their usual media engagements post-race. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the experience as “painful” for the team.

The Marina Bay street circuit is known for being the most physically demanding race of the Formula 1 season, primarily due to the oppressive heat and humidity of Singapore. Russell, who finished in fourth place, expressed his discomfort over the team radio, stating, “it’s like a sauna in here” as he battled through the closing laps.

Remarkably, this race marked a historic first, running without any Safety Car interventions throughout its 62 laps, a unique occurrence in its 16-year history. Wolff assured that despite the drivers battling overheating, they were recovering well, having taken ice baths post-race as a remedy.

The race proved disappointing for the British duo who started from the second row. The Mercedes W15 struggled to keep pace with the faster McLaren cars, which finished in first and third positions, alongside Max Verstappen from Red Bull who claimed second place. Russell and Hamilton were further challenged by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who surged from ninth on the grid, surpassing Hamilton to finish closely behind Russell.

“It was a really painful evening,” Wolff reflected, noting that the team secured only one podium in the four races following the August summer break, in stark contrast to their two wins earlier in the season. “It’s concerning when you’re starting from third and fourth but finish fourth and sixth. We are currently grappling with hot tracks that strain traction, as seen in Baku and now here. However, we have to accept where we are right now because being a minute behind the leader is difficult to swallow,” he added.

Strategy Missteps: The Decision to Use Soft Tyres

Part of the team’s challenges were attributed to their strategic decisions, particularly with Hamilton starting on soft tyres. As the lead Mercedes car in third position, Hamilton’s race plan faltered early on, causing him to pit sooner than his competitors who were on medium tyres. This not only cost him track position to Russell but also allowed Leclerc to overtake him later in the race.

Wolff conceded that the strategy was flawed, admitting that the team simply lacked the necessary pace to affect their overall standing, regardless of the incorrect tyre choice. “Our past experiences here led to our strategy decisions, believing that the soft tyre would provide Lewis with an advantage at the start,” he explained. “Ultimately, that decision backfired, and we struggled to manage the rear surfaces, resulting in a backward slide in performance.” He emphasized that overtaking was more feasible in this race than in previous ones, reinforcing the notion that the team should have opted for the medium tyres instead.

Following the race, Hamilton and Russell sought immediate recovery and shared their thoughts through a post-race press release from Mercedes. Hamilton, who ended the race in sixth position, commented on the emotional spectrum associated with such challenging performances: “It’s tough to articulate how we feel after a race like that. This season continues to be difficult for everyone, but we remain committed to pushing forward.” He acknowledged mistakes in strategy while emphasizing the team’s collective effort to improve ahead of upcoming races.

Russell echoed his teammate’s sentiments, admitting that while qualifying performance had raised expectations, the race day revealed the stark reality. “The McLarens were on another level, and we were unable to match their pace or that of Max,” he said. “In the end, it was about minimizing damage, which we managed to do by holding off Leclerc.”

With only six races left in the 2024 Formula 1 season, the circuit moves to Austin, Texas for the United States Grand Prix from October 18-20, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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www.skysports.com