Lewis Hamilton 'sabotage' as Liam Lawson F1 future questioned - International Media reacts

Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion at the Singapore Grand Prix, leading from pole position to the chequered flag to secure his first victory at Marina Bay.

The Red Bull driver held off Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who finished second, while Kimi Antonelli claimed third for Mercedes to strengthen his grip on the 2026 drivers' championship.

Lewis Hamilton was among the biggest talking points of the race, however, after a strategic gamble backfired spectacularly.

The Ferrari driver appeared on course for a podium finish before staying out during a Virtual Safety Car period, leaving him struggling on worn tyres and eventually dropping to sixth.

Hamilton took responsibility for the decision and apologised to his team, while Oscar Piastri also voiced frustration over McLaren's communication during his pursuit of the Ferrari.

Away from the track, Kim Kardashian finally put her awkward Monaco encounter with Sky Sports broadcaster Martin Brundle behind her, while Verstappen's victory also provided an emotional backdrop to his impending separation from long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.

With plenty of drama both on and off the circuit, the Singapore Grand Prix generated headlines around the world.

Here's how the international media reacted to the Singapore Grand Prix, the 17th round of the F1 season.

🇬🇧 The Telegraph – Kim Kardashian and Martin Brundle bury the hatchet

The Telegraph focuses on an unlikely off-track reconciliation, as Kim Kardashian finally agreed to speak to Sky Sports broadcaster Martin Brundle during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

The pair had an awkward encounter at the Monaco Grand Prix earlier in the season, when Kardashian appeared to snub Brundle during his famous grid walk, prompting the broadcaster to joke about the incident afterwards.

This time, Kardashian was ready for the conversation, jokingly asking whether she had failed to understand the rules or whether the pair had simply got off on the wrong foot.

She also offered a glimpse into her growing interest in Formula 1 while revealing that she and boyfriend Lewis Hamilton were both confident ahead of the race.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf – Lewis Hamilton also physically affected after Singapore Grand Prix: Ferrari driver apologises

De Telegraaf highlights the difficult aftermath of Hamilton's strategic error, which cost Ferrari a potential double podium at Marina Bay.

The seven-time world champion had been in contention for third place before deciding against pitting during the Virtual Safety Car, leaving him on ageing soft tyres as rivals closed in during the final stages.

Hamilton ultimately finished sixth and apologised over team radio, accepting responsibility for a decision that allowed Antonelli, Norris and Piastri to pass him.

The Dutch publication also highlighted that Hamilton was physically struggling after the race, with the Ferrari driver requiring attention and missing his usual post-race media commitments.

🇮🇹 La Gazzetta dello Sport – Verstappen-Lambiase: the final podium for the golden partnership

La Gazzetta dello Sport reflects on the emotional significance of Verstappen's Singapore victory, which could mark one of the final podium celebrations shared with long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.

The pair have enjoyed extraordinary success together, building a relationship that has helped Verstappen secure four world championships and navigate some of the most difficult moments of his career.

Lambiase is set to join McLaren in a senior role, meaning Verstappen will eventually have to build a new working relationship with his new engineer, Tom Hart.

Their remarkable understanding was on display in Singapore, where radio problems prevented normal communication, but Verstappen said Lambiase still anticipated almost everything he needed to know.

Their ability to communicate even through silence offered a fitting tribute to one of Formula 1's most successful driver-engineer partnerships

🇫🇷 L'Équipe – 'Not every decision can be the right one, and I can accept being wrong': how Hamilton sabotaged his own

L'Équipe examines how Hamilton turned a promising afternoon into a frustrating sixth-place finish through a strategic decision he ultimately admitted was his own.

Having started third and made an early switch to soft tyres, Hamilton was presented with an opportunity to pit again when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed, but he missed the pit entry and subsequently opted to remain on track.

Ferrari team-mate Leclerc took advantage of the opportunity to stop, while Hamilton was left attempting to stretch his tyres to the finish.

The decision proved costly as Antonelli, Norris and Piastri all overtook him, leaving Hamilton to acknowledge afterwards that he had made the wrong call.

L'Équipe's analysis centres on the contrast between Ferrari's strong pace and the driver's costly judgement at a critical moment of the race.

🇳🇿 NZ Herald – Has Liam Lawson already revealed his own Red Bull fate?

The NZ Herald considers what Lawson's recent performances might mean for his future within the Red Bull family, arguing that results remain the most important factor in determining whether a driver keeps his seat.

The New Zealander enjoyed a productive Singapore weekend, adding 10 points across the event and continuing to make a case for himself through his performances on track.

The opinion piece suggests that Lawson's ability to deliver results is strengthening his position, particularly when compared with rivals who have struggled to score.

Rather than treating his future as a foregone conclusion, the article highlights how his recent form may be shaping Red Bull's thinking about its driver line-up.

Lawson's challenge now is to maintain that consistency and leave Racing Bulls with as few reasons as possible to look elsewhere.

🇦🇺 Herald Sun – Distressing Lewis Hamilton image emerges as Oscar Piastri scolds McLaren team

The Herald Sun brings together two of the Singapore Grand Prix's most striking post-race storylines: Hamilton's physical struggles after his late-race collapse and Piastri's frustration with McLaren's communication.

Hamilton was seen looking visibly unwell after climbing from his Ferrari, having lost a potential podium through his decision to stay out during the Virtual Safety Car and then struggled on worn tyres.

He subsequently required medical attention and missed his usual media duties, adding to an already disappointing afternoon for the seven-time world champion.

Meanwhile, Piastri became increasingly frustrated over team radio while chasing Hamilton, demanding lap-time information from his engineer rather than simply being given the gap to the Ferrari.

The Australian eventually finished fifth, but the exchange provided another talking point for McLaren as the team continues to manage the pressure of competing at the front.