Scuderia Ferrari executed a highly competitive 2026 Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, but the Maranello garage was left wondering what could have been after missing out on a stellar double-podium finish. While Charles Leclerc successfully secured second place behind race winner Max Verstappen, his teammate suffered a dramatic race collapse to cross the finish line in sixth position.
The massive drop in track position was the direct result of a highly controversial strategic decision executed mid-race during a crucial safety car period. Although the Ferrari pitwall explicitly instructed the veteran driver to box for fresh tires, the seven-time world champion unilaterally decided to stay out on the circuit despite racing on severely degrading rubber compounds.
Speaking to media representatives following the chequered flag, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that the strategy blunder was never a miscommunication stemming from the engineering desk, but rather a stubborn choice made directly inside the cockpit of the SF-26.
"It was entirely Lewis’s decision," Vasseur revealed when addressing the media after the race. "We called him into the pits, but he didn’t come in."
By choosing to stay out on older tires, Lewis Hamilton became incredibly vulnerable during the ensuing restart phase. The severe lack of mechanical grip allowed Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli to execute a brilliant late-race overtake, snatching the final step of the podium away from Ferrari and leaving McLaren driver Lando Norris behind as well.
Given the sheer aerodynamic pace of the car on the demanding street layout, Vasseur expressed clear frustration over missing out on a massive haul of Constructors' Championship points. Telemetry data indicated that following the original team protocol would have successfully retained his track position.
"It’s a real shame because he would have finished P3," Vasseur stated. "I’m disappointed because we could have had both cars on the podium, but instead we finished sixth."
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