The Singapore Grand Prix gave us one of the most exciting races this season. It was filled with mixed strategies, overtaking, a surprise winner, and last-lap drama. George Russell had the opportunity to win the race with a different strategy, after failing to do so, fans claimed that Lewis Hamilton would have been able to do so if the positions were swapped during the last few laps of the race.
After the race, fans took to social media to show their disappointment after George Russell not only failed to overtake the leader but crashed out in the last lap to score no points. However, the team stood by him and said that they made the right decision. James Allison, the team’s technical director was asked about this decision and he said:
āBoth cars had that chance of getting right the way through and securing that one-two. George felt he could get the job done. George would have been absolutely furious not to be given that chance.ā
James Allison says Mercedes didnāt split the #SingaporeGP strategies because āboth cars had that chance of getting right the way through and securing that one-two.ā
āGeorge felt he could get the job done. George would have been absolutely furious not to be given that chance.ā
ā deni (@fiagirly) September 20, 2023
When the drivers started their 2nd stint, George Russell was stuck behind Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton was stuck behind Lando Norris who was running in 3rd. However, both the Mercedes drivers were unable to overtake the car in front due to the narrow layout of the track.
On lap 44, a VSC was deployed and the Mercedes drivers decided to take a gamble and go for a different strategy. Technically, the strategy worked. By lap 58, Russell and Hamilton had caught up to Lando Norris who was just behind the race leader, Carlos Sainz. Unfortunately, Russell was not able to overtake Lando Norris. He crashed out on the last lap trying to do so.
Would Lewis Hamilton have won the Singapore GP if he swapped positions with George Russell?
Before approaching the leaders of the race, Lewis Hamilton was faster than George Russell. He got his extra point for the fastest lap of the race. However, Mercedes decided against swapping cars during the race. We cannot tell for certain if Hamilton would have won if the cars could have swapped, but we can speculate.
There is no doubt that Lewis Hamilton is a much more experienced driver than George Russell. He has been in the sport since 2008 while George entered 10 years later. Hamilton has also been with Mercedes longer than Russell. The 2023 season is only George’s 2nd year with the team. The same season marks Lewis Hamilton’s 11th season with Mercedes.
Incredible last-lap drama as Russell, chasing P2, crashes out! š„šµ#F1 #SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/tzPgXoy83q
ā Formula 1 (@F1) September 17, 2023
When it comes to race wins, Lewis Hamilton has 103 race wins along with his 7 Championships. So there is no doubt that Lewis seems like the more experienced driver on paper. However, Russell did manage to beat Lewis Hamilton during the qualifying session on Saturday. There is a possibility that Hamilton’s experience might have given him an edge to overtake Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz. However, the Singapore track is narrow and difficult to overtake.
Do you think Lewis Hamilton would have been able to win the race if he had been ahead of George Russell during the Singapore Grand Prix? Post your answers in the comment section below.
