Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is approaching the Singapore Grand Prix with a positive mindset. However, his focus seems less on the result itself and more on continuing the growth process he has pursued over the last two races. Hamilton also took a moment to express gratitude for the wave of support he received following the passing of his dog, Roscoe.
“Yes, I am definitely optimistic for this weekend.” Hamilton’s words are clear, but they need to be interpreted within the context of his current situation. His main goal for some time has been to complete a race weekend with the satisfaction of having extracted everything possible from his Ferrari, both in terms of driving and teamwork. The meetings and analyses conducted after the Baku Grand Prix appear to have contributed to Hamilton’s optimism, a confidence not tied solely to the race result.
“We have learned a lot from the last two races. We are making progress and feel better in the car. Our execution wasn’t perfect last weekend, but we gained valuable insights, and I hope that this weekend we can capitalize on the lessons learned from past mistakes and continue to improve.” Shortly afterward, Hamilton elaborated on the debrief following the Baku weekend.
“The car performed very well at the start of the weekend, but we couldn’t maintain the same feeling throughout. We went slightly off track with the wing setup, and that was a shared decision. Then, in qualifying, we knew the medium tire was three tenths faster, but we ultimately didn’t use it. These are areas where we can improve and ensure we don’t repeat the same mistakes. I am confident we will take a better approach this weekend.”
“Last week, I couldn’t spend as much time with the team as I would have liked, but I know they worked extremely hard at the factory, and we caught up over the last two days. So, I’m optimistic about the start of this weekend. Of course, I have no idea how fast the others will be—Red Bulls will likely be fast, as will McLaren and Mercedes. We have a lot of work to do, and I think qualifying on this track is crucial. It will be the key stage of the weekend.”
The Briton also confirmed that he will use the ‘thermal shirt’ for the first time to address issues related to high temperatures and humidity. “I’ll give it a try. I find it uncomfortable and… very itchy, so I’m not entirely sure I want to drive with an itchy shirt!” He also clarified with teammate Charles Leclerc about the end of the Baku race. “I spoke with Charles, everything is fine, he was fantastic. We will improve communication to make sure it doesn’t happen again, and… it won’t happen again.”
It was inevitable that Lewis Hamilton would be asked about the passing of his dog, Roscoe, and the surprising wave of support he received from the entire Formula 1 community. “I received so many messages—it was truly moving to see how many people were touched by Roscoe around the world. Receiving them was deeply emotional. I couldn’t reply to everyone, but yes, he was the most important part of my life, so last week was an incredibly difficult experience. I know many people worldwide have experienced something similar and understand what it means to have a pet that gives such extraordinary love and affection. But I’m moving forward. Now I can’t wait to get back in the car and do what I love.”
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