The late stages of the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix saw Lewis Hamilton battling to hold position for Ferrari when disaster struck. His front brakes began to fail, forcing him to nurse the car around the demanding street circuit.

Desperate to salvage crucial points for his team, Hamilton pushed the limits. As he struggled to keep pace, Hamilton repeatedly exceeded track limits, a move that initially allowed him to stay ahead of hard-charging Fernando Alonso.

While Hamilton finished the race just ahead of Alonso on the road, his actions triggered a review by race stewards, setting the stage for a post-race penalty decision.

The Stewards’ Verdict: Unsafe Driving and Track Limits

After the race, the stewards examined Hamilton’s actions and found that, despite brake issues, he had left the track on several occasions, a clear violation. Although Hamilton and his team confirmed the brake problems, the stewards determined that mechanical woes did not excuse exceeding track limits.

Quoting from their decision, “this was not a justifiable reason and [we] apply the usual penalty for such type of infringement.” Hamilton was handed a five-second time penalty, demoting him from seventh to eighth.

Alonso, who had been furious over the radio about the safety of driving with faulty brakes, ultimately inherited seventh. Hamilton and Ferrari did not contest the ruling, accepting the standard penalty in line with sporting regulations.

Hamilton Reacts and Ferrari’s Qualifying Struggles Continue

Reflecting on the race, Hamilton acknowledged the physical and technical challenges he faced. He described the car as “very difficult to overtake” and admitted to struggling once the brakes failed, emphasizing the team’s relentless effort despite limitations with car performance.

The incident also highlighted Ferrari’s broader struggles in maximizing qualifying pace, as Hamilton noted the team’s lack of one-lap speed and missed opportunities to start higher on the grid.

While the penalty proved frustrating, it underscored the importance of maintaining car control and adhering to track regulations, even when mechanical failure strikes.