BREAKING NEWS: “We’re not perfect all the time.” Russell and Hamilton respond to what is “frustrating”study up on it.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes found the Singapore Grand Prix to be a difficult and unpleasant race. Throughout the race, both drivers encountered issues; in the end, they placed sixth and fourth, respectively. The race did not go as planned for the team, despite a good qualifying effort in which Mercedes sealed up the second row of the grid.

Mercedes decided to give the two drivers separate strategy. Hamilton took a chance on a pair of soft tires, while Russell began on the more dependable medium tires. Hamilton was unable to exploit the soft tires to his advantage at the beginning of the race, hence this move backfired. He was obliged to pit sooner than anticipated in order to switch to the hard compound after finding himself stranded behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. His entire performance was hampered by his plan and holding up his colleague during the first stint.

Following his premature pit stop, Hamilton’s race turned into a fight for survival, with the goal being to keep his tires intact until the very finish. Charles ultimately passed him and he ended in sixth position.

Russell, however, finished fourth and was able to maintain his starting spot. He said that following their strong qualifying performance, the squad had hoped for more, but that this was an acceptable outcome considering the difficulties. Verstappen continued to show why he was faster during the race, with Russell saying that the McLarens were “in another league.”

Russell said, looking back on his effort, that the race was psychologically and physically demanding. During the race, he referred to his cockpit as a “sauna” and talked about how hard it was to hold onto his lead, particularly against Leclerc, who was closing in as the last lap approached. The lack of a safety car made the race much more difficult.

Despite being less than ideal, Russell acknowledged that given the team’s difficulties, the outcome was the best they could have hoped for. While he was disappointed with the team’s lack of speed, he nevertheless recognized that holding off Leclerc in the closing moments was a little win. Russell’s post-race behavior made it evident that the entire experience had had a negative impact on him, both psychologically and physically.

After the race, Hamilton expressed similar dissatisfaction with the team’s approach. He acknowledged that the crew “didn’t get things right” that day and that starting on the soft tires had been a mistake. Over the season, Hamilton has had various highs and lows, and Singapore made the year even more of what he called a “testing” year.

Toto Wolff, the principal of the Mercedes team, called the race “painful.” Although the team anticipates improvements for the upcoming race in Austin, these developments seem insignificant in the wake of yet another dismal outcome. In the remaining races of the season, the drivers and the team are keen to get back to their previous level of performance. For the time being, though, the Singapore Grand Prix acts as a reminder of the challenges Mercedes still faces in their pursuit of steady success.