Fernando Alonso frustrated with Lewis Hamilton after intense Singapore Grand Prix clash
Fernando Alonso, the seasoned former Ferrari driver, found himself in an unexpected battle with current Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton during the dramatic final laps of the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. The confrontation highlighted the ongoing tensions between Ferrari drivers and Aston Martin in the fight for crucial points in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
After a challenging start to the weekend, Hamilton had appeared poised to finish ahead of his Ferrari rivals once again, recalling his controversial decision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku where he had refused to let Charles Leclerc pass on the final lap. In Singapore, Hamilton adopted a more aggressive two-stop strategy after an initial slow opening stint, aiming to challenge Andrea Kimi Antonelli while on the softer tyres. Meanwhile, Leclerc once more demonstrated team-first mentality by yielding when necessary to support Ferrari’s campaign in the Constructors’ standings.
However, as Lewis Hamilton closed in on Kimi Antonelli, a sudden brake issue forced him to switch to damage-limitation mode. This mechanical failure allowed Leclerc to reclaim sixth place, and Alonso, who had been chasing the leaders in his Aston Martin, found himself only 0.4 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton at the chequered flag. Despite finishing closely, the Spaniard expressed clear frustration with Lewis Hamilton’s defensive driving over team radio, signaling his disapproval of the tactics used to retain P7.
Alonso’s post-race radio reveals his disbelief at Hamilton’s defensive tactics
Fernando Alonso’s radio messages during the closing laps revealed his astonishment at how Hamilton managed to maintain his position despite the brake issues. The Spanish driver reportedly instructed his race engineer to cease communications midway through the race as tensions mounted. By the final lap, Alonso was incredulous at Hamilton’s defensive line, questioning whether it was safe to operate a car with impaired brakes and criticizing the apparent leniency in the regulations applied to other drivers. Alonso highlighted the perceived inconsistency, referencing prior incidents with red flags and track limits enforcement, underlining his frustration with what he viewed as unequal treatment in Formula 1’s rule enforcement.
As a result of Hamilton’s defensive maneuvers, the seven-time world champion received a five-second penalty. The stewards clarified that while Hamilton claimed his repeated track excursions were necessary to manage the brake issue, this explanation did not justify the breaches according to the Driving Standards Guidelines. Neither Hamilton nor his team contested the penalty, confirming the decision’s acceptance.
Alonso earns recognition as Driver of the Day
Despite the tense battle with Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso was celebrated by fans as Formula 1’s Driver of the Day after finishing as the highest-placed driver among those outside the podium positions, before Hamilton’s penalty promoted him further. Fernando Alonso remarked that such recognition was unusual without a podium finish but expressed satisfaction with his overall performance and strategic execution during the Singapore GP.
In a post-race interview with Formula 1’s official website, Alonso reflected on the strong pace of the Aston Martin, noting that the soft tyre strategy allowed him to gain a valuable advantage over competitors. Although a slow pit stop slightly affected the overall performance, Alonso emphasized that the car remained competitive throughout the stint, providing multiple exciting on-track battles. He also highlighted the tactical decision to run medium tyres in the second stint while others switched to hard compounds, giving him a temporary performance edge that facilitated overtaking opportunities in a circuit widely regarded as difficult for passing.
Fernando Alonso’s comments also underscored the challenges of Singapore’s street circuit, where overtaking is notoriously tricky and tyre management plays a critical role. By maintaining consistent lap times and leveraging strategic tyre choices, Alonso was able to convert his advantage into valuable points, while also showcasing his experience and racecraft in navigating high-pressure situations against top competitors like Hamilton, Leclerc, and Antonelli.
Ultimately, the Singapore Grand Prix highlighted both the intense intra-team dynamics at Ferrari and the competitive prowess of Aston Martin under Alonso’s guidance, providing fans with a thrilling finale that combined strategy, technical skill, and the drama of late-race duels. The clash between Alonso and Hamilton will likely be remembered as one of the season’s defining moments in the ongoing battle for championship positioning.
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