Hamilton and Russell experienced overheating issues at the Singapore GP.

Both drivers failed to fulfill their media obligations after the race due to their conditions. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff announced that Lewis Hamilton and George Russell faced overheating during the Singapore Grand Prix, leading them to skip their Formula 1 media duties post-race. The FIA accepted Mercedes’ request, allowing both drivers to miss media appearances due to health concerns after the 62-lap race at the challenging Marina Bay circuit. This was the first race completed at this track without a safety car intervention since F1 began racing there.

The hot and humid conditions provided little opportunity for drivers to rest. Russell noted on the team radio toward the end of the race that his cockpit felt like a sauna.

Wolff commented on the drivers’ health, stating, “Both suffered from overheating, but they are okay now. They took ice baths, and I think that helped a bit.” Hamilton, who started the race from third, finished sixth, with his use of soft tires during the first stint proving to be a hindrance. Russell finished fourth, over a minute behind race winner Lando Norris.

Wolff admitted that Mercedes “misread the race,” explaining the rationale behind Hamilton starting on the red-marked soft tires, which were only used by Daniel Ricciardo at the start of the race.

Wolff stated, “Based on the historical Singapore races, we thought it would essentially be a Monaco-like process, so we believed the soft tires would give him an advantage at the start.”

“This was pretty much the only overtaking opportunity. This was a joint wrong decision by all of us.”

“It felt like a good balance, but due to the rear tire degradation we fell back. So, there was logic behind it, but clearly, we should have done the opposite; however, that doesn’t hide the fact that the car was very slow.”

“It was a really painful evening. When you look at the positions, fourth and sixth… that’s not good, especially when you start from third and fourth…”

“The car… is struggling on hot and traction-limited tracks right now. Like here and in Baku… But that’s not an excuse.”

“What we expect from ourselves is not this because it’s hard to accept when your fastest car is a minute behind the leader.”