Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Schiff says Hamilton may have made his own strategy call due to doubts about Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton finished sixth at the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Circuit, three places below where he started.
During a Virtual Safety Car, he chose to stay on track while many drivers, including Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, pitted.
The choice left Hamilton vulnerable late in the race, and Lando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli passed him.
Naomi Schiff suggested Hamilton may not trust Ferrari’s strategy decisions, though she presented this as her interpretation rather than a confirmed reason.
Jenson Button disagreed, saying Hamilton made a gamble he believed was right and wanted to avoid staying behind Leclerc.
Hamilton accepted responsibility and apologised to the team after the race, a response Button praised.
The discussion matters because it raises questions about how much control Hamilton has over race strategy and how well he and Ferrari work together.
Naomi Schiff said Lewis Hamilton may have taken charge of his Singapore Grand Prix strategy because he lacked confidence in Ferrari’s decisions.
Hamilton stayed out during a Virtual Safety Car while many drivers, including teammate Charles Leclerc, pitted.
He finished sixth at the Marina Bay Circuit, three places below his starting position.
Jenson Button disagreed with Schiff, describing Hamilton’s choice as a gamble that he thought was right.
Hamilton accepted responsibility for the decision and apologised to the team after the race.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton made the strategy decision; Naomi Schiff and Jenson Button offered different views of it.
- What
- Hamilton stayed out during a Virtual Safety Car and finished sixth. Schiff suggested doubts about Ferrari influenced his decision, while Button said it was a gamble.
- When
- During the Singapore Grand Prix and in post-race comments.
- Where
- Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore.
- Why
- Schiff said Hamilton may have lacked confidence in Ferrari’s decision-making. Button said Hamilton wanted to make his own call and avoid staying behind his teammate.
Naomi Schiff
Jenson Button
Hamilton's reasoning
Naomi Schiff
Schiff said Hamilton may have taken control because he was not confident Ferrari would make the right decision.
Jenson Button
Button said Hamilton wanted to make his own call because he thought it was the right one.
The strategy choice
Naomi Schiff
Schiff said Hamilton’s doubts about Ferrari may have shaped his decision.
Jenson Button
Button described the decision as a gamble that backfired.
Hamilton stayed out during a Virtual Safety Car while many others, including Leclerc, pitted.
Lando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli overtook Hamilton.
Hamilton apologised to the team, and Schiff and Button discussed his strategy decision.
- Hamilton's result
- Sixth place
- Starting position change
- Dropped three places from his grid position
- Strategy decision
- Stayed out during a Virtual Safety Car
- Teammate
- Charles Leclerc pitted during the Virtual Safety Car
- Drivers who overtook Hamilton
- Lando Norris and Andrea Kimi Antonelli
What people are saying
I think they’ve sort of lost trust with each other on making the right decisions in certain circumstances.
So I understand why Lewis is challenging them because he’s not always confident that they are going to make the right decision.
I just think he wanted to make his call on the race and he thought it was the right one.
I really respect him for apologising at the end of the race, straight after the race.
Sources
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