Lewis Hamilton takes the blame after costly Singapore gamble

The Ferrari driver was running in a podium position behind Charles Leclerc but chose to stay out when the Monegasque driver pitted under the virtual safety car. Leclerc rapidly closed up and retook second, with Hamilton also losing positions to Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, ultimately crossing the line in sixth on heavily worn soft tyres.

After crossing the line, Hamilton appeared to suggest that it was his decision to stay out, and what led to him missing out on at least a podium finish.

“Sorry boys, I let you down today with that strategy,” Hamilton told the team over the radio. “My call and I lost us valuable points. I’ll try and make up for that in the next one.”

The apology was a painful acknowledgement of what might have been for Hamilton and Ferrari. Although Max Verstappen appeared to be out of reach, Hamilton was likely on for a third place finish behind his teammate Leclerc.

Earlier in the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton was frustrated after being stuck behind Leclerc after the two drivers made their first pitstop.

Hamilton, who had dropped seven seconds behind Leclerc in the first stint after running on medium tyres, pitted early, and was right behind his teammate when the Monegasque driver pitted.

The British driver told his team on one lap that he felt like he lost "two seconds". Leclerc set a fastest lap, but Hamilton felt he could go even quicker, telling his team that he wanted to "use his speed".

Hamilton though was told by his team to manage his tyres in Turns 10 and 18 and would drop two seconds behind Leclerc. The Monegasque driver made a second pit stop and caught back up with Hamilton, before cruising past to finish second, as Hamilton dropped back after spending 44 laps on the soft tyres.