In his post-Singapore statement on October 11, Hamilton took responsibility for not stopping again under the Virtual Safety Car (VSC). Ferrari called him in, he missed the entrance, then chose to stay out and finish on one stop. Sixth afterward, he apologized.
Starting compound and a later stop are separate choices
Starting third on mediums, he hoped to extend stint one and make a one-stop work. His F1-published statement says mediums were worse than softs; switching improved pace without required progress. A later second-stop decision still remained.
When the second VSC appeared, Leclerc stopped. Hamilton said the team called him too but he missed entry, then retained position. Late degradation cost places to Antonelli, Norris and Piastri for sixth.
Vasseur confirms the team wanted both cars in
Vasseur told F1 TV and Sky Sports F1 that Ferrari planned a double-stack, bringing both cars to the same pit box one after the other for tire changes. He felt stopping both offered second and third, and staying out cost Hamilton a podium opportunity.
The statement separates the team's initial call from Hamilton's later choice after missing entry, which he accepted as his own. For the first stops and both Ferrari routes, see our race strategy review.
INKA SPORTS analysis: Saving current position did not preserve the finish
VSC speed requirements usually reduce relative pit losses. Staying out temporarily saved a stop but required long-used softs against fresher opposition. Position still needed defending through pace, which late tires could not sustain.
Driver and principal agree on the call, missed entry and subsequent stay. Vasseur believed another stop could have preserved podium chances, but double-stack waiting, exit order and later racing would also matter. The actual one-stop failed; the alternative finishing position remains untested.
Conclusion
Missing entry then staying out briefly preserved position before consecutive late passes and sixth. The statement clarifies the choice and the one-stop's limit: time saved could not offset older-soft defensive weakness.
