(Motorsports news) With teammate Mercedes’ George Russell falling out on the final lap at Marina Bay last weekend, trailing teammate Hamilton took the final podium slot thanks to the duo’s aggressive late switch to medium tyres in an attempt to challenge for victory. But, as Hamilton stood on the podium with race winner Carlos Sainz and runner-up Lando Norris, the TV cameras focused on the Ferrari and McLaren crews, but not on Mercedes.
Social media clips have also emerged showing photos of seven-time world champion Hamilton being met by rival technicians rather than his own squad after the race. However, Mercedes has stated that “as many of the team as it was practical” made it down to the podium ceremony for Hamilton, but the narrative of Ferrari stopping Red Bull’s flawless victory run in 2023 meant that directors were focusing the TV feed elsewhere.
“Of course, the team was there on the podium to celebrate with Lewis,” Mercedes technical director James Allison said. “We had as many team members as it was possible to get to the podium because we enjoy it.” We enjoy standing there and applauding for our driver. A certain amount of the team had to stay in the garage during that event because we needed to receive George’s car back from the marshals who were bringing it back into the pit lane,” he continued.
“However, the rest of the team was gathered at the podium, cheering along with everyone else. But cameras don’t show everything, and the big story there was, of course, the first win for a non-Red Bull team this year. So, showing all of the ecstatic Ferrari faces was high on the list of things that made for good TV and, indeed, the pleasure of the McLaren people as well.”
“A significant number of all teams were present at the podium ceremony. We were a big part of it, but maybe not where the camera was lighted during the podium celebrations.”
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