Lewis Hamilton was unable to complete his usual post-race media duties after feeling unwell following the Singapore Grand Prix, with a previously unbroadcast Ferrari radio message providing possible context for his condition. The seven-time world champion was examined by medical staff before receiving special permission from the FIA to miss the mandatory media pen interviews.
According to journalist Julianne Cerasoli, the Briton was dehydrated after one of the most physically demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar. During the Grand Prix, race engineer Carlo Santi had also reminded the Ferrari driver over the radio to drink, a message that was not broadcast on the world feed at the time.
Ferrari reminded Lewis Hamilton to drink during Singapore GP
The reminder came shortly after the race had passed the one-hour-and-20-minute mark. The Singapore Grand Prix eventually lasted around one hour and 42 minutes, meaning Hamilton was already deep into a demanding evening when Carlo Santi prompted him to take on fluids.
The communication initially appeared routine and was therefore not included in the television broadcast. Its significance increased afterwards, however, when Hamilton was reported to have suffered from dehydration.
It is apparently not unusual for the Briton to avoid drinking water while in the cockpit, but the combination of Singapore’s conditions and the length of the race may have made that particularly demanding on this occasion.
Marina Bay is already regarded as one of the toughest physical challenges of the season because of its heat and humidity. The 62-lap race contained only brief Virtual Safety Car interruptions, leaving the drivers exposed to a largely relentless pace. More information about the demands of the weekend is available in the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix weekend guide.
Singapore weekend added to Lewis Hamilton’s physical workload
The Grand Prix also completed a punishing triple-header, arriving only one week after another physically demanding race in Malaysia. Singapore’s Sprint format added another layer to the workload, with Saturday’s wet Sprint increasing the physical burden compared with a traditional Grand Prix weekend.
After Sunday’s race, the 41-year-old could be seen crouching in parc fermé while waiting to be weighed. It was not clear whether that was connected to exhaustion or simply reflected the disappointment of seeing a potential podium result turn into sixth place.
The wider race picture was equally demanding. Hamilton had stayed out when Lance Stroll’s retirement triggered a Virtual Safety Car, committing to the longest Soft-tyre stint of the Grand Prix. The strategy eventually unravelled as he lost positions to Kimi Antonelli and both McLaren drivers before the finish.
Ferrari’s complete strategic battle at Marina Bay, including how the Virtual Safety Car and tyre choices shaped the final result, is covered in the Singapore Grand Prix race analysis.
Lewis Hamilton apologised to Ferrari after sixth-place finish
Hamilton accepted responsibility over the radio after the chequered flag for the decision to remain on track rather than follow Ferrari’s call to stop under the VSC. His gamble initially improved his track position, but the ageing Soft tyres ultimately left him vulnerable during the closing stages.
The physical strain therefore came at the end of a race in which the Ferrari driver had also been trying to defend track position while nursing worn tyres. After being assessed by medical personnel, he was excused from the post-race interview process.
This was the second time in three Singapore appearances that Hamilton had been given permission to miss post-race media duties. In 2024, both he and then-Mercedes team-mate George Russell showed symptoms of heat exhaustion following the race.
Lewis Hamilton expected to be fine after Singapore illness
Hamilton left the circuit shortly after receiving FIA clearance and is reported to be fine. There is currently no suggestion that his participation in the United States Grand Prix, scheduled for two weeks after Singapore, is in doubt.
The episode nevertheless underlines how demanding the Marina Bay weekend can be, particularly when intense heat, humidity, a long race and a Sprint schedule combine with the sporting pressure of a difficult strategy. Further developments involving the seven-time world champion can be followed in the Lewis Hamilton Ferrari news section.
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