P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari address safety concerns after Lewis Hamilton’s worrying race-long brake issue
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur disclosed that Lewis Hamilton had to deal with brake issues right from the beginning of the Singapore Grand Prix, but maintained that there was no safety risk involved. Despite chasing Kimi Antonelli for fifth place, Hamilton encountered a brake problem in the later stages of the race, causing him to lose over 40 seconds and be threatened by Fernando Alonso. Hamilton resorted to cutting corners on the final lap to fend off Alonso while struggling with the brake issue. Following the race, Hamilton received a five-second time penalty, dropping him from seventh to eighth place. Vasseur assured reporters that despite the challenges, Hamilton’s car remained on the “safe side” in terms of safety adaptation during the race. The Ferrari team had been grappling with brake troubles throughout the season, prompting drivers like Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to practice fuel-saving measures early on. Vasseur acknowledged the difficulties faced, emphasizing the need for continuous brake management even during competitive moments of the race. Despite the setbacks in Singapore, Vasseur believed that without the brake concerns, Ferrari could have displayed a better performance. The frustrated team principal highlighted the challenges of Singapore’s track conditions and brake demands, particularly when mid-pack competitiveness is crucial. Vasseur downplayed the significance of Hamilton’s fastest lap on softer tires, expressing frustration at not being able to fully exploit the car’s potential without the need for pace-saving strategies.
