INDEPENDENT RACING JOURNALISMFacts. Context. Evidence.
GPBeat.comGPBeat.com
THE INDEPENDENT RACING DESK
ENNL
F1 news
F1 / NEWS & CONTEXT
Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton backed off Verstappen after seeing no passing chance in Singapore Sprint

Archive photograph: Lewis Hamilton · 2025-06-04Archive photo · 2025-06-04 · Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street · OGL 3

Hamilton said the single racing line persuaded him to ease off his pursuit of Verstappen in the rain-hit Singapore Sprint. He pushed again late and finished second, 2.591 seconds behind.

GPBeat · Newsroom12 Oct 2026, 04:33 · 1 min

Lewis Hamilton said he backed off his pursuit of Max Verstappen in Saturday’s rain-affected Singapore Sprint after judging that the single racing line offered little chance to pass. He finished second, 2.591 seconds behind the Red Bull driver.

Hamilton climbed from sixth to third on the opening lap. George Russell, who had taken the lead from Verstappen into Turn 1, crashed at the final corner at the end of the lap, promoting Hamilton to second.

At first, Hamilton said, he was closing on Verstappen without pushing hard as he tried to protect his tyres. With a long way still to go, he judged a pass unlikely and eased off. The right side then began to overheat, he said, but he regained control, pushed again near the end and started to close the gap.

Before qualifying on Saturday, Hamilton said Ferrari could put pressure on Mercedes and Red Bull in Sunday’s Grand Prix if it did slightly better in qualifying and got both cars further up the order.

Sources 03
  1. PRIMARY SOURCEHamilton delighted with ‘mega start’ in Singapore SprintFormula 1
  2. SOURCELewis Hamilton calls for Singapore track changes: “Would have been the most boring race without rain”Motorsport.com F1
  3. PRIMARY SOURCEF1 – Verstappen wins rain-affected Singapore Sprint as Russell crashes out and McLaren pair collideFIA news and transcripts

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.

Read also

  1. Hamilton calls for a longer straight to improve overtaking at Marina Bay

  2. Verstappen conquers Singapore as Antonelli takes third and extends points lead

  3. Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc question Singapore as a Sprint venue

  4. Hamilton hails strong start after wet Singapore Sprint

  5. Verstappen takes first Singapore GP pole after Sprint win as McLaren’s projected nine points fall to one