Lewis Hamilton’s Singapore GP Dream Shattered by Penalty as Alonso Erupts in Anger!
In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s bid for glory was derailed by a shocking five-second penalty that has left fans and competitors alike reeling. The seven-time world champion, who had been cruising comfortably, found himself embroiled in controversy as he failed to adhere to track limits, igniting a furious reaction from none other than Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton, who was battling suspected brake issues during the final laps at the iconic Marina Bay Street Circuit, dropped behind Charles Leclerc, a strategic move following his controversial decision not to allow Leclerc to pass him during the Baku race. The drama unfolded as Hamilton, who had previously enjoyed a staggering 52-second lead over Alonso on lap 58, inexplicably lost ground, clocking a dismal three, five, and an astonishing 32 seconds slower over the next three laps.
As the final lap approached, Hamilton’s once-comfortable 12-second buffer evaporated amidst his reckless disregard for track limits. Alonso, who had been trailing closely, unleashed a tirade of frustration over the team radio, exclaiming, “I cannot f***ing believe it!” as he narrowly missed overtaking Hamilton in the last corners of the race. His palpable anger was evident as he questioned, “Is it safe to drive with no brakes?”
In a more composed moment, Alonso later voiced his frustration to Spanish broadcaster DAZN, revealing, “They told me about it two laps from the end, and I finished about a tenth behind him, so it was a bit frustrating,” adding that he hoped the stewards would take a hard stance on track limits violations. “When you don’t have brakes, you can’t really go off the track,” he stated, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement of racing regulations.
The FIA stewards did not hesitate to take action, ruling that Hamilton was indeed in the wrong. Their verdict? A five-second penalty that relegated Hamilton to a disappointing eighth place, just behind Alonso. The stewards’ report was damning: “During the hearing, the driver confirmed that he left the track on several occasions while managing a brake issue. However, after further investigation, the stewards deemed this excuse insufficient and applied the standard penalty for such infractions.”
The implications of this ruling are far-reaching. Hamilton now finds his championship standing further jeopardized, with his deficit to teammate Leclerc ballooning to 48 points. Meanwhile, Ferrari clings to a fragile eight-point lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship as the racing season heats up.
This latest chapter of Formula 1 drama has not only sparked fury from Alonso but has also raised critical questions about the integrity of track limits and the spirit of competition. As the dust settles on the Singapore GP, one thing is clear: the tension in the paddock is only just beginning, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how this saga unfolds in the races to come!