During the Singapore Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton encountered significant brake troubles that affected his performance throughout the race, according to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur. Despite these issues, Vasseur emphasized that there was no danger to Hamilton’s safety as he managed the problem carefully while competing for position.
Hamilton was engaged in a battle with Kimi Antonelli for fifth place when the brake problems emerged in the final laps. This malfunction caused the driver to lose more than 40 seconds, allowing Fernando Alonso to threaten his position on the track. To hold off Alonso, Hamilton maneuvered through multiple corner cuttings on the last lap, struggling under the brake limitations. Ultimately, Hamilton received a five-second time penalty post-race, which dropped him from seventh to eighth place.
Addressing the issue with reporters after the race, Frederic Vasseur spoke about the safety measures in place, saying the team adjusted Hamilton’s pace to ensure his vehicle remained controlled.
“In terms of safety, yes, because we adapted the pace,”
Vasseur noted.
“It’s not that Lewis was pushing like hell in the last lap, but he was 30 seconds slower.
“In terms of safety, it was on the safe side, but not the target. The target is to be safe, but the target is not to be safe.”
Ongoing Brake Issues Affect Ferrari Throughout the Season
Ferrari has faced persistent brake complications during the 2024 Formula 1 season, impacting both Lewis Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc. Teams have frequently instructed the drivers to “lift and coast” to preserve brake performance, a strategy that was also applied early in the Singapore race, starting around Lap 8. This approach requires drivers to ease off acceleration and brake gently to avoid overheating or degrading the brakes.
Vasseur admitted the challenge was evident from the early stages of the race weekend.
“It will be difficult to start with the positive,”
he said.
“Yes, we were hitting not from lap one, but from lap two or three.
“And we had to do a lift and coast for the race, but even for them at the end it’s not easy to drive, because you have to adapt your braking point each lap.”
While the strategy helped control the problem, it limited Hamilton’s ability to compete at full pace. Vasseur acknowledged that the moments when Hamilton pushed were promising for pace but unsustainable for most of the race.
“Clearly, when we pushed a couple of laps with Lewis, I think the pace was decent. But you can’t do 95% of the race on the back foot.”
Ferrari’s struggles contributed to a disappointing result in Singapore, where the team was overtaken by Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren, placing further pressure on their efforts to improve.
Assessment of Ferrari’s Performance Despite Brake Constraints
Despite the recurring brake issues, Vasseur suggested that Ferrari’s overall performance, when not hindered by brake faults, showed promise in the middle of the field. He noted that brake management in a track like Singapore is especially crucial, as the demanding circuit tests the limits of the cars’ braking systems.
“We all know that in Singapore, when you are in the middle of the pack, it’s critical for the brakes … but still it was not expected at this point,”
Vasseur added.
Regarding Hamilton setting the fastest lap on soft tires towards the race’s end, the team principal downplayed its significance due to differing conditions, calling it a “fake fastest lap.” He noted the difference in tire sets meant Hamilton was not truly representative of the competitive pace compared to rivals. Nonetheless, Vasseur reiterated that the limited laps when Hamilton pushed demonstrated competitive potential.
“It’s also frustrating for us, because we had the feeling that when we did three laps in a row without saving, that the pace was not bad.”
Implications for Ferrari’s Future Races
Hamilton’s brake difficulties at Singapore highlight ongoing technical challenges for Ferrari as they seek to bridge the gap with leading teams like Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren. Managing brake performance will remain critical for their drivers, especially in demanding circuits where braking zones are numerous and braking efficiency impacts race outcomes significantly.
With Vasseur’s candid acknowledgement of the issues and the team’s efforts to adjust strategy mid-race, Ferrari’s ability to resolve these brake concerns could influence their competitiveness in upcoming Grand Prix events. The situation serves as a reminder of how crucial car reliability and component durability are in Formula 1 races, especially for drivers like Lewis Hamilton aiming to maintain strong championship standings.
