Hamilton admits Singapore strategy mistake cost Ferrari a podium: 'It definitely hurts when I lose points for the team'
Hamilton owns up to costly Singapore call
Lewis Hamilton has taken responsibility for a poor strategic decision at the previous round in Singapore, which cost himself and Ferrari a likely podium, as he looks ahead to the United States Grand Prix.
The seven-time World Champion was on course to finish third and secure a double podium for Ferrari behind team mate Charles Leclerc. However, Hamilton failed to pit under a Virtual Safety Car for fresh tyres, a decision he made himself, and he ultimately slipped to sixth at the chequered flag.
'In a split second decision I decided to stay out'
During Thursday's media day in Austin, Hamilton was asked to reflect on the decision, having claimed that an alternative tyre strategy from the outset was his best chance of beating eventual race winner Max Verstappen.
"I'm always looking at ways to win. I'm always looking at doing potentially something different and I wanted to be on different strategy to Charles, not where we just follow each other," said Hamilton. "We assumed Max would be potentially quicker and the strategy [simulation] showed us finishing P2 and P3. That's not enough for me, I wanted to have options."
He added: "In a split second decision I decided to stay out [during the VSC]. As soon as I was alongside the pit lane I knew it was probably the wrong decision but owned up to it, took responsibility for it and you move on."
Working relationship with the team
Hamilton said there had been good conversations behind the scenes about how the team can collaborate better, but insisted nothing had changed in how well they work together.
"I truly believe my job, rather than to follow suit always, is to continuously challenge the team, myself included. Just constantly challenge the norms and that's ultimately how I've got to where I am, and I will not shy away from that," he said.
"Sometimes it doesn't go well, and that was one of those, but you live to fight another day and we win and we lose as a team, so we carry the weight and the cost together. It definitely hurts when I lose points for the team, it's not something I do very often, but I'll double the efforts to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Ferrari's outlook in Austin
Ferrari enjoyed one of their strongest weekends of the season for pace in Singapore, although the team had gradually fallen away from Mercedes' closest challengers in recent rounds. Hamilton does not believe Ferrari will have closed the gap any further in Austin, despite a small upgrade.
"I think if you look at the rise and different performances through the year, Mercedes were leading for a second, then McLaren stepped up and now you see Red Bull kind of dominating in the last couple of races," he said. "I don't really see why that would potentially change but I would imagine it's close between us all. I hope if we can get the car in the right place, hopefully we can be there or thereabouts."