JUST IN: Hamilton Health update announced with Mercedes…read More.
Hamilton Health update announced with Mercedes…read More.
Lewis Hamilton’s health update has been released following the physically demanding Singapore Grand Prix, which saw him struggle to a sixth-place finish after starting third on the grid. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion faced multiple challenges during the race, including an intense strategy mishap by his Mercedes team and grueling weather conditions at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Despite a strong qualifying session that placed him in third, Hamilton’s race quickly unraveled due to a questionable team strategy. Mercedes opted to start Hamilton on soft tyres, aiming to get ahead of Max Verstappen, who began in second place. However, this plan backfired as the tyres degraded faster than anticipated, causing Hamilton to lose crucial positions later in the race.
Hamilton’s teammate George Russell, who was also impacted by the team’s strategy, managed to finish ahead of him, compounding Hamilton’s frustration. It appeared that the Mercedes strategy favored the younger Russell, which did not sit well with the 39-year-old Hamilton, who was visibly upset with how things played out during the race.
The heat in Singapore added to Hamilton’s difficulties. With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and 70 percent humidity throughout the night race, both Hamilton and Russell struggled to cope with the extreme conditions. By the end of the race, both drivers were physically exhausted, prompting Mercedes to cancel their post-race media commitments. Neither Hamilton nor Russell appeared in the media pen, raising concerns among fans about their health after such a punishing race.
Mercedes later issued an official statement regarding the health of both drivers, reassuring fans that they were recovering. In a race debrief, Mercedes technical director James Allison shed more light on the drivers’ condition, acknowledging the difficulties they faced.
“We suffered again from a recurring problem where we lose relative competitiveness on softer rubber at tracks where tyre temperature is crucial. Singapore is at the extreme end of that experience, and it was quite difficult for them to manage,” Allison explained. He emphasized that Hamilton and Russell’s performance was further hampered by the extreme heat, which made the race even more challenging.
“The air temperature was over 30 degrees, with 70 percent humidity, so it was very, very hot in the car. By the end of the race, both of them were feeling it,” he added.
While the extreme heat took a toll on both drivers, Allison reassured fans that they had recovered relatively quickly. “They feel a lot better now from the heat part of it. A cold ice bath and a few drinks, and they bounce back relatively swiftly,” he said.
However, Allison pointed out that while the physical effects of the heat have passed, the disappointment of the car’s pace remains. He acknowledged that the team’s ongoing issues with tyre management on tracks like Singapore, where overheating can significantly impact performance, remain a concern. “The more significant thing is caring about the pace of the car. That hurt lingers a little longer,” Allison concluded.
Despite the tough race, Mercedes and its drivers will now turn their attention to upcoming races, hoping to address the strategy and tyre issues that have affected their performance in key moments. For now, fans can take comfort in knowing that both Hamilton and Russell are in good health and ready to continue the fight in the remaining races of the season.
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