Hamilton takes blame for Singapore strategy as Antonelli nears F1 title

Lewis Hamilton accepted responsibility for a costly strategy decision at the Singapore Grand Prix after finishing sixth, while Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli moved closer to the Formula 1 world championship. According to BBC Sport, Hamilton apologised to Ferrari after staying out when the team wanted him to pit, losing the chance to finish alongside team-mate Charles Leclerc on the podium.

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Ferrari called both drivers in during a virtual safety car period, when a stop cost less time than under normal racing conditions. Leclerc came in, but Hamilton continued. In a statement issued by Ferrari, Hamilton said he had missed the pit entry when first instructed to stop, then elected to protect his track position. His tyres deteriorated in the closing stages and he lost three places before the finish.

Hamilton's race had already departed from his original plan. He started on medium tyres hoping to extend his opening stint and make a one-stop strategy work, but said that compound performed worse than the soft. He stopped six laps before Leclerc and was initially quicker when the two cars came together on track. Ferrari nevertheless kept Leclerc ahead. Team principal Frederic Vasseur defended that decision on the basis that Leclerc had fresher tyres, and acknowledged that Hamilton's later choice to stay out was a mistake.

Max Verstappen won ahead of Leclerc and Antonelli, whose championship advantage increased to 102 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell and 111 over Hamilton. Russell finished ninth after starting at the back of the grid. BBC Sport reported that Antonelli could secure the title at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on 25 October by winning if Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower.

That would make the 20-year-old Italian Formula 1's youngest world champion. The report cautioned, however, that the remaining calendar was not completely settled, with uncertainty over the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Antonelli said his focus remained on performing well enough to deliver results, rather than assuming the championship was already decided.

Verstappen's victory was his first grand prix win in Singapore and his second consecutive race victory. He credited a more predictable, easier-to-drive Red Bull for the team's recent improvement, while cautioning that Austin and the subsequent races would present different challenges. Hamilton, meanwhile, said he took full responsibility for the lost points and intended to respond at the next race.