The debate began after Fernando Alonso’s comments in the closing stages of the race. The Aston Martin driver had complained over the radio, implying that Hamilton’s slowing Ferrari could have been a safety concern. However, Fred Vasseur was quick to clarify the situation and defend his driver’s actions during a difficult end to the race.
Hamilton’s brake issues in the final laps
On lap 60 of 62 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, while battling Kimi Antonelli for fifth place, Lewis Hamilton suffered a braking issue on his Ferrari SF-25. The seven-time world champion immediately reduced his pace to manage the problem and make it to the finish line. As a result, he was overtaken by his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Fernando Alonso, who had been more than 30 seconds behind the British driver, began closing the gap rapidly as Hamilton struggled to keep his car on track. The Ferrari driver ran wide several times, breaching track limits on multiple occasions. His race engineer, Riccardo Adami, warned him over the radio not to cut the corners, to which Hamilton replied in frustration: “Ah! I’m not trying to cut the corners, man!”
Track limits, penalties, and Alonso’s frustration
As Lewis Hamilton’s struggles continued, race control showed him the black-and-white flag for exceeding track limits. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso expressed his anger over the radio, suggesting that Hamilton’s driving was unsafe. Despite his difficulties, the British driver managed to reach the chequered flag in seventh place, holding off Alonso by less than a second. However, a five-second time penalty for repeated track-limit violations dropped him to eighth position in the final classification.
The stewards later stated that although Lewis Hamilton had a brake issue, it was “not a valid justification” for repeatedly going beyond the track limits. This decision, combined with Alonso’s complaints, sparked debate among fans and commentators about whether Hamilton’s car should have been allowed to continue in such a condition.
Fred Vasseur’s defense of his driver
Fred Vasseur, however, refused to accept the criticism directed at his driver. The Ferrari team principal defended Hamilton’s handling of the situation, insisting that the seven-time champion did exactly what was necessary to safely bring the car home. “Lewis slowed down appropriately to manage a critical issue,” the French manager explained, adding that his driver never endangered anyone on track.
According to Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton’s experience and composure in the closing laps were crucial in avoiding a potential retirement. The French manager emphasized that slowing the pace was the correct and responsible decision, proving once again Hamilton’s ability to manage even the most difficult circumstances on track.
As the championship continues, Ferrari will focus on analyzing the brake issue that affected Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25 in Singapore. The Maranello team remains determined to prevent similar problems in the upcoming races as it continues its battle for P2 with Mercedes and Red Bull in the constructors’ standings.
Leave a Reply