F1 LATEST NEWS TODAY: Mercedes CANCEL Hamilton commitments

F1 News: Mercedes Cancel Hamilton’s Media Commitments as Ricciardo Confirmation Nears

Mercedes has made the decision to cancel Lewis Hamilton’s scheduled media duties following the Singapore Grand Prix. The team issued a statement citing recovery from the physically demanding race as the reason for Hamilton and teammate George Russell’s absence from post-race interviews.

Before the weekend, Hamilton wasn’t optimistic about Mercedes’ chances in Singapore, expressing doubt about even making it into Q3 during qualifying. However, despite his concerns, the seven-time world champion managed to secure a P3 starting position on the grid, just behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who snatched pole position. Hamilton’s strong qualifying performance initially suggested he might have a good chance for a podium finish in the race.

When the race began, Hamilton started on the soft compound tyres, which seemed like a promising strategy. However, it ultimately backfired as he struggled to manage tyre degradation. His performance took a hit after pitting early for hard tyres, hoping to maintain a strong position, but the wear became an issue. Hamilton voiced his frustration over the radio, criticizing the team’s strategy as his tyres deteriorated faster than expected.

Meanwhile, George Russell, who started in P4 just behind Hamilton, managed his tyres better and eventually overtook his teammate after the pit stops. Hamilton’s struggles allowed Oscar Piastri in the McLaren to get past both Mercedes drivers, with Piastri ultimately securing the final spot on the podium. It was a weekend to forget for Hamilton, whose race unravelled despite an advantageous grid position, and for Mercedes, who failed to meet their performance expectations. For Hamilton, it was another frustrating outing as the rumors about his move to Ferrari continue to swirl.

Post-race, neither Hamilton nor Russell made it to the media pen for the usual interviews. Mercedes released a statement explaining their absence, attributing it to the physical demands of the race. “Unfortunately, neither George nor Lewis will be attending the media pen this evening as they recover from the exertions of tonight’s race,” the statement read. The team assured that quotes from both drivers would be included in Mercedes’ post-race press release.

The cancellation of the media duties highlights just how physically grueling the Singapore Grand Prix can be for drivers. The combination of the intense humidity, high temperatures, and the challenging nature of the street circuit makes it one of the most difficult races of the season. The drivers endure 62 laps of intense physical and mental exertion, often losing up to 4kg in sweat due to the extreme heat inside the cockpit. Hamilton and Russell were not alone in feeling the strain after the race. Williams driver Franco Colapinto, competing in his first race at the Singapore street circuit, was reportedly unable to communicate with his team after the race due to exhaustion.

Looking beyond Mercedes’ struggles, the weekend also saw growing speculation about Daniel Ricciardo’s return to a full-time seat in Formula 1. Official confirmation of Ricciardo’s move appears imminent as Red Bull look to secure the popular Australian’s future within the sport. While Ricciardo’s name continues to dominate headlines, Hamilton’s future is also under the microscope, with rumors of his potential switch to Ferrari gaining traction.

In the end, Singapore proved to be a challenging weekend for Mercedes and their star driver, as both Hamilton and Russell battled the demands of the race and were unable to deliver the kind of performance expected from them. With the championship slowly slipping away, Mercedes will be eager to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming races. For Hamilton, attention will soon shift to his future beyond this season, as the speculation around his next move intensifies.