Lewis Hamilton Laments Missed Opportunity as Ferrari Falls Short in Singapore GP Showdown
In a gripping spectacle at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has unleashed a torrent of frustration, asserting that Ferrari should have matched the speed and prowess of McLaren. This revelation comes on the heels of a catastrophic brake failure that derailed Hamilton’s race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 5th, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s engineering capabilities.
As the clock ticked down in the final stages of the 62-lap race, Hamilton found himself gaining ground on Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes, aiming for a coveted fifth-place finish. However, the seven-time world champion’s ambitions were thwarted as his brakes succumbed to critical issues, forcing him to dial back his pace just as he was set to unleash a fierce challenge. “I was catching Kimi then the brakes gave up,” Hamilton lamented, visibly disappointed. “You saw the spark coming off the left front.”
Hamilton’s struggles were compounded by a lackluster start that saw him unable to keep pace with the likes of McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Behind the scenes, Ferrari was grappling with alarming reliability problems, which ultimately cost them dearly on the track. “I feel for all of the team, from catering to marketing, the guys in the garage and engineers,” Hamilton expressed, stressing the dedication of the entire Ferrari crew. “It’s just the car we have is unfortunately not of the level of the guys up ahead of us.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also faced a daunting challenge, reportedly instructed to implement a lift-and-coast strategy starting as early as Lap 7. This tactic, aimed at reducing brake strain, further hampered their performance, and it became clear that the team was struggling to maintain competitive pace. Hamilton pointed out that this extensive brake management undoubtedly cost them precious time, especially on a circuit notorious for its overtaking difficulties.
As Hamilton and Leclerc fought valiantly to salvage the race, it became evident that their SF-25 cars were not able to fully unleash their potential under the dazzling night lights of Singapore. When Hamilton finally had the opportunity to push late in the race on softer tyres, disaster struck as his brakes failed completely, sealing his fate and relegating him to an agonizing eighth place after a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits.
In a bold assessment, Hamilton declared that Ferrari was capable of standing toe-to-toe with McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull at the Singapore GP. “On the knife edge trying to get as close as we can,” he stated. “There was potential for us to be further ahead.” He lamented missed opportunities in qualifying, where he felt Ferrari failed to extract the full potential of their car, insisting they could have secured a top-four finish had they perfected their performance.
The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix proved to be a pivotal moment for Ferrari, underscoring the need for urgent improvements as they strive to reclaim their former glory in Formula 1. With Hamilton’s fierce determination and clear vision for success, the question remains: will Ferrari rise to the challenge and deliver a car capable of competing with the best in the world? Only time will tell as the season unfolds.