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2015 Singapore GP: Hamilton's lead cut

Singapore -  Lewis Hamilton retired from the Singapore GP on Sunday after encountering power problems in his Mercedes, halting his dominant run to a likely third world title.

Hamilton, who has not suffered a retirement since Belgium in 2014, eventually drove into the pits at the end of lap 32 after his team failed to resolve the issue over six laps.

The 2015 F1 championship leader was chasing a 41st career win to equal the mark of his idol Ayrton Senna.

Power issues

He told the BBC: "I was feeling super optimistic and easily keeping up. I was hoping for a quick fix but it never came."

Hamilton, the reigning world drivers' champion, was riding in fourth having picked up a place from his third row starting position when he complained over his team radio about issues with his car.


As it happened: 2015 Singapore GP

"Lost power guys, lost power," the 30-year-old said on lap 26 before tumbling down the field as his team tried in vain to figure out the cause of the problem.

'I knew it was over'

He fell to the back of the pack over the next laps before his team eventually called him in after the driver asked to be stopped.

He told Sky Sports: "They (the team) were telling me to change all these things and then I was overtaken by two Manors so I knew I was last. "When they started to pull away, I knew it was over."

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took the chequered flag for his 42nd career win, with Nico Rosberg fourth for Mercedes which allowed him to cut the gap on Hamilton to 41 points in the title race with six races remaining.

Vettel's victory left the quadruple world champion 49 points behind Hamilton.


Hamilton has enjoyed mixed fortunes under the floodlights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, winning twice in 2009 and 2014 but also being forced to retire when leading in 2012 with former team McLaren.

2015 Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit: Results

Race

Qualifying

Third practice

Second practice

First practice

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix


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