During the first practice session at the Singapore Grand Prix, McLaren driver and current F1 2025 championship leader Oscar Piastri grew frustrated with Lewis Hamilton, who was driving a Ferrari. The incident occurred late in FP1 as Hamilton slowed down near Turn 1, impeding Piastri’s fast lap attempt. This moment was notable in the ongoing tension surrounding the Lewis Hamilton Singapore GP incident.
Piastri, aiming to recover from a disappointing Azerbaijan weekend, was forced to abandon his lap on soft tires when Hamilton, positioned on the circuit’s outside at Turn 1, checked his mirrors and then moved off the track, kicking up dust. After giving up his lap, Piastri could be heard joking over team radio about Hamilton’s squad, saying,
“Ferrari will invent mirrors one day, I hope.”
– Oscar Piastri, McLaren driver
On-Track Tension Extends Beyond Piastri and Hamilton
The disruption didn’t end between these two competitors. Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto was visibly annoyed by Piastri’s actions as they crossed the mid-sector, expressing his exasperation loudly:
“What the f**k is he doing?”
– Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber driver
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 world champion and Hamilton’s former McLaren teammate, weighed in on the episode during Sky F1’s broadcast. Button highlighted that Hamilton did not adhere strictly to the now common protocol of moving to the inside of the circuit after completing a flying lap, a practice established only in recent seasons. Despite this, Button noted that Piastri “still had a clear run” into Turn 1, even with Hamilton close to the racing line. He added,
Image of: Lewis Hamilton
“It’s not nice having a car on the outside, obviously, because if you lock up, you end up in them. But he still had a clear run.”
– Jenson Button, former F1 World Champion
Qualifying and Session Standings Amid Rising Competition
Hamilton finished the session in fourth place, trailing FP1 leader Fernando Alonso by 0.364 seconds. Piastri secured fifth place, just 0.001 seconds behind the Ferrari driver and notably more than 0.2 seconds ahead of his McLaren teammate and championship rival, Lando Norris. The Australian arrived in Singapore carrying the weight of his first retirement this season, which occurred at last month’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku.
Despite that setback, Piastri currently holds a significant 25-point lead over Norris, with seven races remaining in the 2025 championship, increasing the stakes for both drivers as the season progresses.
Significance of the Incident and What’s Next for the Drivers
The incident highlights the intensifying pressure between leading drivers as the 2025 Formula 1 season advances. Hamilton’s experience and skill meet the rising hunger of young contenders like Piastri, whose cheeky remarks underline the growing tension both on and off the track. With team rivalries deepening, moments such as this Singapore GP episode serve as a flashpoint for future clashes.
As the season continues, how Hamilton and Piastri manage such moments could prove decisive in the championship battle. Observers will be watching closely to see whether this cheeky jab sparks a bigger rivalry in the remaining races.
