Lewis Hamilton blames "power issues" for forced retirement

Lewis Hamilton in action during the Italian GP practice on September 4, 2015
© Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton says that a loss of power in his car forced him to retire from the Singapore Grand Prix during a disappointing weekend for Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton has said that the power issues in his car cost him the chance of a victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Mercedes had struggled for pace all weekend and the defending world champion was forced to retire after a sudden loss of power caused him to drop down the field.

Hamilton and his team attempted to fix the problem during the race but they eventually made the decision to retire the car and save the engine.

"I was feeling super-optimistic in the car, I really was," Hamilton told reporters.

"The guys in front were on the option and I was on the prime and I was easily keeping up with the guys. I thought 'you know what, we've got a race on our hands here'.

"The pace was nice, really under control. I was just waiting for that time when I could push and see what I could get from the car but obviously I didn't get that. I lost power and I was hoping they would have a quick fix but it never came."

Sebastian Vettel went on to win the Singapore Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari celebrates in Parc Ferme next to Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing and Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Ferrari after claiming pole position during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of
Read Next:
Vettel hails "fantastic" Singapore pole
>