Mercedes confirmed that both of their drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, won’t be giving TV interviews to Sky Sports F1 after the Singapore Grand Prix.
After a gruelling race in the southeast Asian heat, the British pair opted against speaking in order to recover. McLaren‘s Lando Norris won at a canter, followed by Max Verstappen, putting a further dent in his title lead.
Russell and Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively, after the seven-time world champion fumed at his own team during the race for a strategy that took him from P3 to three places lower down the grid by the chequered flag.
And Sky were unable to get the immediate thoughts of Hamilton on the decision to pit on lap 18, switching from hard to soft tyres, which he claimed were “killing him” in the battle for a podium.
A team spokesperson said: “Unfortunately neither George or Lewis will be attending the media pen this evening as they recover from the exertions from this evening’s race.”
After nine laps on his new tyres, Hamilton asked if he was the first car to pit and accused the Silver Arrows of going too early, having failed to get ahead of Verstappen at the start of the race.
“Something’s definitely wrong with the car mate,” he told race engineer Peter Bonnington. “Tyres are dropping off.”
When the 37-year-old was passed by his team-mate, he further complained: “You’re killing me with this offset, mate.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.