SHOCKING: Lewis Hamilton absence confirmed at Singapore GP as Ferrari team-mate steps up… Read more
Lewis Hamilton absence confirmed at Singapore GP as Ferrari team-mate steps up
The build-up to the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix has taken an interesting turn, with Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, confirming that Lewis Hamilton will not be among the drivers participating in the official pre-race press conference this weekend. Instead, Ferrari will be represented by his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who has been chosen to face questions from the international media in Thursday’s later session.
Each Grand Prix weekend, the FIA selects a group of drivers to attend official press conferences, offering journalists the chance to quiz them on recent performances, team dynamics, and their expectations ahead of the race. For the Singapore event, six drivers have been lined up across two Thursday sessions, with Hamilton’s absence drawing attention given his high-profile status in the sport.
The first session will feature Esteban Ocon of Haas, Lando Norris of McLaren, and George Russell representing Mercedes. Later in the day, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will be joined by Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and Williams driver Alex Albon.
Although Hamilton will not take part in the FIA’s official press conference, he is still expected to be present at Marina Bay on Thursday. The seven-time world champion will likely engage with reporters in the media pen, where less formal interviews and questions are conducted outside the structured FIA sessions.
Hamilton’s absence from the main line-up follows a difficult few weeks for the British superstar. He missed both the Ferrari Style fashion event and the Pirelli tyre test at Mugello, largely due to the declining health of his beloved bulldog, Roscoe. The pet had long been a popular presence in Hamilton’s life and within the paddock. On Sunday, Hamilton confirmed the heartbreaking news that Roscoe had passed away at the age of 12, later posting an emotional tribute to his companion on Instagram. The personal loss has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the driver’s preparations heading into Singapore.
For Ferrari, Charles Leclerc’s inclusion in the conference means the Monégasque will carry the team’s public duties heading into one of the most physically demanding races of the season. With Marina Bay’s grueling heat and challenging street circuit layout, Ferrari’s performance will be closely scrutinized, and Leclerc is expected to field questions about both the team’s prospects and Hamilton’s mindset following his recent bereavement.
Meanwhile, the FIA has also spotlighted championship contender Lando Norris, who will speak in Thursday’s opening session. Norris remains one of the most compelling figures in the 2025 title fight. After a strong campaign with McLaren, he currently trails team-mate Oscar Piastri by 25 points in the championship standings, while holding a 44-point advantage over his long-time rival Max Verstappen. With seven rounds remaining, the Singapore GP could prove crucial in determining whether Norris can close the gap to Piastri and stake his claim for a maiden world championship.
Given McLaren’s dominance this year, questions from the media are expected to focus on how Norris plans to respond to Piastri’s consistency, his strategies for the final stretch of the season, and the psychological battle of competing against both a team-mate and a former champion in Verstappen.
Beyond the drivers’ media commitments, Friday’s schedule will also include a session with key team figures. Steve Nielsen from Alpine, Andy Cowell representing Aston Martin, and James Vowles of Williams will face questions from journalists at 12:30 BST, addressing technical developments, team performances, and their outlooks for the remainder of the campaign.
With Hamilton stepping back from the formal spotlight this week, the Singapore Grand Prix build-up takes on a different complexion. His absence is understandable given the personal challenges he has faced, but it also allows the spotlight to shift towards Ferrari’s Leclerc and the championship drama surrounding Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen. As the night race approaches, all eyes will be on how the paddock responds—both on track and off—to one of the most intense weekends of the year.
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