Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari require a direct discussion following recent strategic disagreements, according to former Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins. The seven-time World Champion’s decisions during the Singapore and Malaysian Grands Prix have highlighted a perceived lack of trust within the team. These incidents have drawn scrutiny regarding Ferrari’s race management during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
At the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11, Hamilton finished sixth after starting from the second row of the grid. He chose to disregard a team instruction to pit under a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) period. Hamilton opted to remain on aging soft tyres, a decision that ultimately proved costly.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that the pit call was made to both drivers. Vasseur stated Hamilton either missed the pit entry or chose to ignore the instruction. Hamilton later apologised for the strategy call, acknowledging it was his mistake and cost the team valuable points.
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, followed the team’s instruction to pit under the VSC. Leclerc subsequently finished the Singapore Grand Prix in second position. Vasseur indicated that a double podium finish was possible had Hamilton pitted.
The previous race, the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia on October 4, also featured strategic contention. Hamilton started the wet-dry race at Sepang on slick tyres, losing significant track position. He then questioned the team’s subsequent call to switch to intermediate tyres.
Hamilton decided to remain on the slick tyres, a gamble that eventually resulted in a third-place finish. This outcome was aided by a timely Safety Car period as the track dried. Collins cited both the Singapore and Malaysian incidents as evidence of Hamilton’s diminishing trust in the Ferrari pit wall.
Bernie Collins stated, ‘I do think that shows more globally that Lewis isn’t trusting that Ferrari team.’
Ferrari currently holds second place in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship with 405 points. Mercedes leads the standings with 556 points. Hamilton is third in the Drivers’ Championship with 214 points after 16 rounds. He has secured one victory in Barcelona and six podium finishes this season.
Leclerc has also achieved a victory for Ferrari this season at the British Grand Prix. Despite competitive pace, Ferrari has faced recurring strategic challenges throughout 2026. Former Ferrari driver René Arnoux criticised the team’s repeated strategic errors, supporting Hamilton’s independent decisions.
Conversely, Jenson Button disputed the notion of lost trust. Button suggested Hamilton’s decision in Singapore was driven by a desire to make his own race call and avoid being behind Leclerc. Martin Brundle questioned the practicality of a driver managing strategy from the cockpit.
Fred Vasseur, in his fourth season as Team Principal, faces ongoing scrutiny regarding Ferrari’s strategic execution. Speculation has linked Christian Horner and Antonello Coletta as potential replacements for the 2027 season. Ferrari has publicly reaffirmed its confidence in Vasseur.
The Formula 1 season continues with the United States Grand Prix next weekend. The event will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, from October 23-25. This will be the 18th round of the 2026 championship and will follow a traditional format without a Sprint race.
