Lewis Hamilton‘s media commitments at the Singapore Grand Prix were abruptly cancelled, Mercedes confirmed in a statement, as both he and teammate George Russell were forced to withdraw from post-race press engagements. The decision underscores the immense physical toll exacted by the Singapore race, renowned for its demanding conditions.
Heading into the Singapore weekend, Hamilton himself had voiced concerns about Mercedes’ potential performance, suggesting a struggle to even reach Q3. However, the seven-time world champion defied expectations, securing a strong P3 grid position, just behind Max Verstappen and pole-sitter Lando Norris. This promising start, however, did not translate into race day success.
Despite the advantageous grid slot, Mercedes opted for a soft tyre strategy for Hamilton’s initial stint. This decision ultimately proved detrimental. While Norris went on to clinch victory at the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton’s race unravelled due to tyre management issues.
Hamilton pitted for hard tyres earlier than his rivals, but struggled significantly to maintain their performance. He vocalized his frustration and questioned the team’s strategy over the radio, highlighting his difficulties. Adding to Mercedes’ woes, George Russell, despite starting behind Hamilton in P4, emerged ahead after his pit stop.
Both Mercedes drivers were eventually overtaken by Oscar Piastri, who secured the final podium position. This marked another challenging race weekend for Hamilton, further compounded by the post-race announcement.
Mercedes officially stated that neither Hamilton nor Russell would be fulfilling their scheduled media obligations following the Singapore Grand Prix. The team cited the drivers’ need to recover from the race’s intense physical demands as the reason for the cancellation.
“Unfortunately neither George or Lewis will be attending the media pen this evening as they recover from the exertions from this evening’s race,” the Mercedes statement explained. Instead of live interviews, media outlets would receive quotes from Hamilton and Russell via Mercedes’ post-race press release.
The Singapore Grand Prix is notorious for its punishing conditions. The combination of high humidity and ambient temperatures pushes drivers to their physical limits within the confines of the cockpit. It’s estimated that drivers can lose up to 4kg of sweat during the 62-lap race, emphasizing the extreme endurance required to compete. Hamilton and Russell were not alone in their exhaustion, with other drivers also feeling the strain of the demanding race. This cancellation of media commitments serves as a stark reminder of the intense physical demands placed on Formula 1 drivers, particularly in grueling races like Singapore.
