Lewis Hamilton and George Russell suffer ‘borderline heatstroke’ at Singapore GP

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were both pulled from their planned media commitments following the Singapore Grand Prix with “borderline heatstroke”.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said Hamilton, who complained about his team’s strategy after he started third and finished sixth, fell ill in the immediate aftermath of the 62-lap race.

Russell was also deemed not well enough to conduct his media duties.

A tough evening under the lights here in Singapore pic.twitter.com/fxqu3rjyoe

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 22, 2024

The 26-year-old, on a different strategy to Hamilton, started one place behind his team-mate, but crossed the line ahead in fourth.

The media duties are obligatory for all of the drivers. However, Mercedes contacted the FIA in the immediate aftermath of the race to request a medical exemption for both of their drivers on the advice of the team’s doctors.

The race in the city state is considered one of the most demanding on the calendar such is the humidity, but the grid’s 18 other drivers all managed to fulfil their press calls.

Lando Norris, who won from pole position, did complain about feeling “dizzy” after he emerged from his McLaren cockpit.

“They did not feel well, borderline heatstroke or something like that but they have had water,” said Wolff as he explained his drivers’ absences.

“They would not have been able to go to the (television/print) pen. There were no bad feelings or any annoyance. It is just that we had the doctors with them. But they are all good.”

A Mercedes spokesperson added: “Unfortunately neither George or Lewis will be attending the media pen this evening as they recover from the exertions of this evening’s race.”

Hamilton, who has six races