Lewis Hamilton says everything is fine with team after criticism of Singapore GP strategy

Lewis Hamilton says everything is fine with team after criticism of Singapore GP strategy

  • Lewis Hamilton said his focus is on the next race, scheduled for Austin next month.
Britain's Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton drives his car during the qualifying session of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. (AP)

Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton said things were fine between him and the Mercedes team, days after criticizing his tactics during last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, in which he finished sixth.

The 39-year-old Hamilton had qualified third, but he was disappointed when his team told him to start with the soft tyres, when he wanted to use the medium tires instead.

Hamilton later said at the event, “I tried as hard as I could to go to the medium tyre, but the team suggested I start on the soft…everyone was on the medium tyre.”

Team technical director James Allison admitted the mistake, saying it ruined the race for Hamilton, who is sixth in the championship with 174 points, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen leads with 331 points.

However, Hamilton said on social media on Saturday that the soft tire strategy was a bold and risky move that could have given him an advantage early in the race but it did not pay off.

“I know there was a lot of talking about our strategy last time out and in Singapore, which didn't work. When that happens, it's natural to be disappointed and it's easy for me to voice that disappointment,” Britton said on Instagram. Wrote on the app.

“Make no mistake though, things are good with the team… We're not afraid to have those tricky conversations and challenging moments, which is why we've achieved so much together. We'll support each other to the end “

Hamilton said his focus is on the next race, scheduled for Austin next month.

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First publication date: 30 Sep 2024, 08:00 AM IST

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Repsol to end 30-year sponsorship of Honda MotoGP team

Repsol to end 30-year sponsorship of Honda MotoGP team

Repsol began sponsoring Honda when they entered Grand Prix racing in 1995 and since then they have had immense success with multiple constructor titles and rider

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Repsol began sponsoring Honda when they entered Grand Prix racing in 1995 and since then they have enjoyed immense success with multiple constructors titles and riders championships.

Spanish oil company Repsol will no longer sponsor the Honda MotoGP team from next season, the Japanese motorcycle maker said on Sunday, ending an iconic partnership that spanned three decades.

Repsol began sponsoring Honda when they entered Grand Prix racing in 1995 and since then they have enjoyed immense success with multiple constructors titles and riders championships, riding greats such as Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.

With Repsol as the main sponsor, Honda achieved 15 premier class world championships, 10 premier class team championships, 183 premier class wins and 455 premier class podiums.

“After 30 years of collaboration at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Repsol will part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship,” Honda said in a statement.

“Honda HRC and Repsol have enjoyed a partnership that has become synonymous with success at the highest level.

“Beyond the sponsorship, it has been a true collaboration between both companies, striving to continue as a reference in Grand Prix motorcycling.”

Honda have struggled since Marquez won the last of his six MotoGP titles in 2019, with the Spaniard missing the entire 2020 season after an opening race crash.

The team soon fell behind Italian manufacturers Ducati and Aprilia, and Marquez also left the team at the end of the 2023 season when he switched to Gresini Racing – which uses Ducati machines.

Marquez's departure also sees Red Bull cut its ties with Honda, which has failed to produce a top-10 finish in MotoGP this season with either Joan Mir or Luca Marini.

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First Publication Date: Sep 10, 2024, 07:15 AM IST

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