'Easy For Me To Speak Out In That Frustration': Hamilton Addresses Post-Race Comments
F1
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton issued a statement concerning his post-race comments following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
The Singapore Grand Prix was not one of Lewis Hamilton's best races of the season. Although the final finishing position in P6 wasn't that bad, the seven-time World Champion hoped for a better result, considering he qualified in P3.
The 39-year-old was the only driver in the top 13 not to start the Grand Prix race on medium compound tires (he started on softs), which turned out to be a big strategic error.
When speaking at an event in Kuala Lumpur for Mercedes's title sponsor, Petronas, Hamilton expressed frustration and suggested his team hadn't listened to him before the race.
He said he also wanted to start the Singapore Grand Prix on the medium compound, but the German team overruled his decision. Five days later, the Mercedes driver posted a story on his Instagram where he said:
"Hey all, heading into the weekend focused 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."
"We knew starting on soft tires 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."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained right after the race that the team hoped a soft compound tire would help Lewis Hamilton gain some positions at the start of the race, but that didn't happen.
James Allison (Mercedes's technical director) later admitted in a debrief video that the team made a clear mistake and suggested that if they had a chance again, they would have done it differently. Hamilton added:
"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. It's all love. See you in Austin."
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