Singapore – Formula One world championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired from the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday after encountering power problems in his Mercedes.
The British driver, who had not suffered a retirement this season, eventually drove into the pits at the end of lap 32.
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, which has dominated this year.
“Lost power guys, lost power,” Hamilton said over the radio on lap 26 before tumbling down the field as his team tried in vain to figure out the cause of the problem.
The Briton, who has a 53-point lead in the championship over teammate Nico Rosberg with six races remaining after Singapore, fell to 16th over the next laps before his team opted to call him in.
Hamilton has enjoyed mixed fortunes under the floodlights of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, winning twice in 2009 and in 2014 but also being forced to retire when leading in 2012 with former team McLaren.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel led after 35 laps of the 61 lap race with Rosberg in fourth.
– REUTERS