Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he is adopting a “zero effs” approach ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix after feeling “slapped and surprised” by a difficult weekend last time out in Azerbaijan, with the Mercedes driver determined to stay positive no matter the outcome going forwards.
After a strong run for the team during the middle of the season – which saw them claim a total of three victories, with two for Hamilton at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps while George Russell won in Austria – the Silver Arrows have not been able to recapture that form across recent races.
Baku proved to be particularly challenging for Hamilton, who started from the pit lane following a raft of PU component changes to his W15 before he eventually crossed the line in P9. Russell, meanwhile, bounced back from a tough start to claim a surprise podium following a late-race collision between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz.
Asked if he expected a similar picture in Singapore – in terms of the two Mercedes cars running different set-ups and handling differently – Hamilton responded with a laugh: “I hope not, definitely not looking for a repeat of last week!
Hamilton ended the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in ninth place after starting from the pit lane
“Just when you think you’ve experienced it all and had the worst, you get slapped and surprised. That’s just motor racing, but I’m really hoping this weekend is stronger again. I’m coming in with more of a ‘zero effs’ vibe either way, and it’ll be good either way.”
Asked to elaborate on this approach, Hamilton explained that it involves giving everything and maintaining a sense of positivity even if things don’t work out.
The 39-year-old said: “I think these past couple of days, having to reflect on last weekend, because it started off so positive… I was at the factory doing the sim, which I don’t do a lot, preparing, arrived and first lap I was on it.
“Then all of a sudden it slipped through my fingers and it was miserable the rest of the weekend. You can put it down to so many different things. We all care so much, everyone’s working so hard.
‘It just slipped through our fingers’ – Hamilton on why his initial Baku promise faded over the weekend
“I think [it’s more about] coming into this weekend and we’re just going to give it absolutely everything and whether it goes well or not, it is what it is.
“We’re in that period of time I think, of the season, where we’ve just got to give absolutely everything and if it doesn’t go well just, not necessarily not giving a ‘thing’, but not letting it beat us down and trying to stay positive. We’ve got seven more shots at it, so we’re going to bowl our hardest.”
The event will also mark a milestone 350th race for Hamilton in Formula 1. Reflecting on how this feels, the seven-time world champion – who will make the switch to Ferrari in 2025 as part of a multi-year deal – admitted that the number is not something he focuses on too much.
“I think these past couple of days I’ve definitely been thinking to myself ‘how or why am I extending so much to be here for at least another hundred friggin’ races?!’” joked Hamilton. “I love what I do, so it’s not a surprise. It’s not something that I really think too much of.”
