Charles Leclerc explains how Ferrari’s brake issues left Lewis Hamilton struggling in Singapore
Ferrari’s night at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix was one of mixed fortunes. While the team looked on course for a strong double-points finish, a serious braking issue derailed Lewis Hamilton’s late charge and created a challenging situation for both Ferrari drivers. Charles Leclerc, who endured similar struggles, later shed light on how the problem developed and why Hamilton was left in such a difficult position.
Lewis Hamilton seemed set for fifth place after Ferrari opted for a bold two-stop strategy that initially looked effective. Early in the race, Hamilton slipped behind teammate Charles Leclerc, both targeting Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, while Fernando Alonso acted as an unintentional roadblock for the chasing group. The delay caused by Alonso gave Hamilton the perfect window to switch to soft tyres for the final stint, allowing him to briefly overtake Leclerc and close in on the young Mercedes driver.
However, as the race entered its decisive phase, the Briton’s pace suddenly dropped. While TV cameras focused on the intense battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris for second place, Lewis Hamilton’s lap times began to deteriorate due to escalating brake issues. Antonelli and Leclerc both managed to pull clear as Lewis Hamilton’s braking performance collapsed, leaving the seven-time world champion exposed to Fernando Alonso’s rapid pursuit. Despite being over 40 seconds ahead of the Aston Martin earlier, the Briton finished only four-tenths clear of Alonso at the chequered flag.
Alonso’s frustration was evident over team radio, criticising what he felt was leniency from the stewards as Lewis Hamilton, struggling with brake failure, cut corners to maintain position. The Spaniard questioned why the Ferrari driver had not been ordered to retire, suggesting that certain competitors may receive more favourable treatment in such situations.
Leclerc reveals Ferrari’s brake management challenges in Singapore
After the race, Charles Leclerc discussed the situation with Sky Sports F1, explaining that the braking problems had affected Ferrari far earlier than the public realised. According to the Monegasque driver, the issue began around the seventh or eighth lap, forcing both Ferrari drivers to adapt their driving styles significantly to prevent overheating. He acknowledged that while brake management is always demanding at Marina Bay, this time the situation was far more severe than expected.
Charles Leclerc pointed out that Lewis Hamilton’s late-race struggles were the result of his higher pace on fresher tyres, which placed additional stress on the braking system. The Monegasque explained that with the added grip from the new soft tyres, Lewis Hamilton naturally pushed harder, trying to secure fifth place. However, this extra effort came at the cost of brake temperature control, ultimately putting him in what Leclerc described as a “really difficult situation.” The Ferrari driver added that he, too, faced similar issues, making it one of the toughest races of the season for the Scuderia in terms of thermal management.
When asked whether the main issue was brake overheating, Leclerc indicated that the intense Singapore heat likely played a major role, though he would need to discuss the matter in more detail with the Ferrari engineers to understand the full scope of the problem.
Hamilton remains optimistic despite brake failure
While the brake failure ruined what could have been a strong result, Lewis Hamilton remained remarkably positive after the race. The British driver had hoped to close the gap to Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings, but instead saw the Monegasque extend his advantage to 48 points with six race weekends remaining. Despite this setback, Hamilton reflected on the positives, highlighting the strong pace Ferrari had shown during parts of the race weekend.
Lewis Hamilton explained that he had felt confident in the SF-25 throughout the event, particularly during the final third of the race when the soft tyres provided excellent grip and allowed him to close the gap to the cars ahead. Unfortunately, the brake issue emerged just as he was preparing to overtake, forcing him to back off and settle for a lower points finish. Nevertheless, he emphasised that Ferrari’s overall pace showed encouraging signs, and the team’s focus now shifts toward the next round in Austin, where both drivers aim to deliver a cleaner, more consistent weekend.
Ferrari’s long-term question: reset or repeat?
For Ferrari, the Singapore Grand Prix served as another reminder of the recurring technical challenges that have undermined their race execution this season. The team has shown flashes of competitiveness, yet reliability and setup issues continue to hold them back. With the major 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes approaching, the Italian outfit faces a crucial turning point — one that could either mark the beginning of a competitive resurgence or signal a continuation of its current struggles.
Should the latter occur, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may eventually face questions about their long-term future with the Scuderia. For now, Ferrari’s focus remains on refining their 2025 package and maximising points in the remaining races, as they aim to end the season on a stronger note and build momentum ahead of Formula 1’s next technical era.
Singapore once again highlighted Ferrari’s persistent balance between potential and frustration — a weekend where moments of brilliance were overshadowed by the all-too-familiar limitations of reliability. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc left Marina Bay knowing that speed alone is not enough; consistency and dependability remain the real keys to Ferrari’s long-awaited return to championship contention.
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