Hamilton sixth after staying out during Singapore VSC

Lewis Hamilton finished sixth at the Singapore Grand Prix after staying out during a lap-39 virtual safety car, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc pitted and went on to finish second. Hamilton apologized over team radio after the race, saying the strategy was his call and that he had cost Ferrari valuable points. Leclerc changed to fresh soft tyres during the neutralized period. Hamilton remained on his older softs and continued to the finish without making the stop. As his tyres wore, Leclerc passed him, followed by Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Race accounts put Hamilton almost 46 seconds behind Leclerc at the finish. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the team called both drivers into the pits under the virtual safety car and believed it could have finished second and third. Vasseur said Hamilton missed the pit entry, while other descriptions of his comments said Hamilton chose not to stop. Hamilton’s apology accepted responsibility for the strategy but did not clarify whether he missed the entry or deliberately stayed out. The precise sequence behind the decision therefore remains disputed in the accounts provided.