Lewis Hamilton endured what he described as the toughest race of his entire Formula 1 career at the Singapore Grand Prix, finishing in a respectable sixth place amid the grueling physical challenges of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The seven-time world champion, who has been competing in the sport since 2007, revealed the extent of the physical toll, marking the race as the most difficult he has ever experienced.
A Grueling Race for Mercedes Drivers
The infamous Singapore GP is notorious for its demanding conditions, with extreme heat and humidity pushing drivers to their limits. Both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell visibly struggled after the race, with neither attending the post-race press conference due to exhaustion. Russell was seen leaning heavily on his car’s front tire for support after exiting the cockpit, highlighting just how taxing the event was.
Hamilton, who is the second-oldest driver on the current F1 grid, shared his post-race reaction, emphasizing the extreme conditions he faced: “Sunday was… it was the worst I’ve felt after a race in my whole career,” Hamilton said. “The car is really hot, and our cockpit is… George and I have been struggling with heat.” The Briton’s comments underscore the physical challenge of racing at Marina Bay, where temperatures inside the cockpit can soar to dangerous levels.
Mercedes’ Struggles: A Tough Outing in Singapore
Despite Hamilton’s valiant effort, the race proved challenging for the Mercedes team, with Russell finishing fourth and Hamilton fighting hard to secure sixth. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted that the W15 was simply “too slow” around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, further compounding the difficulties faced by the drivers.
The lackluster performance in Singapore all but ends Mercedes’ hopes for the 2024 Constructors’ Championship. With only 329 points, the team trails significantly behind McLaren (516 points), Red Bull (475 points), and Ferrari (441 points). The remaining six races will be an uphill battle for Mercedes, with the focus shifting to making the most of the opportunities left in the season.
Hamilton’s Final Push as Departure Looms
As the season draws to a close, Mercedes will be aiming to finish on a positive note, especially given the impending departure of Hamilton at the end of the year. The team’s focus will be on extracting the best possible results from the remaining races, striving to end the season on a high despite the setbacks.
For Hamilton, the upcoming races represent his final outings with Mercedes, and he will be determined to leave a lasting impression in his last campaign with the Brackley-based squad. Despite the challenges, the seven-time champion’s resilience and determination remain evident, as he continues to push through one of the most demanding periods of his illustrious career.
With Hamilton’s departure imminent, Mercedes will be eager to give him a fitting send-off by maximizing their performance in the remaining rounds. The road ahead will not be easy, but Hamilton and the Mercedes team are determined to fight until the very end.
