Mercedes has explained why it appeared on F1's global TV feed as if its crews were absent from the Singapore Grand Prix's post-race celebrations.
Lewis Hamilton was the late recipient of the final spot on the podium at Marina Bay following George Russell's crash and DNF on the final lap of the race.
But while the seven-time world champion celebrated the day alongside Ferrari race winner Carlos Sainz and McLaren runner-up Lando Norris, Mercedes' crews were conspicuously absent from the TV director's coverage.
Even in photographs taken in parc fermé right after the race, Hamilton was seen rejoicing with Ferrari and McLaren team members.
Had the Brackley squad purposefully opted to skip the podium festivities?
In reality, a logistical hassle coupled with the overwhelming presence of Ferrari and McLaren personnel in the celebration area led to the perception that Hamilton was on his own.
Mercedes technical director James Allison explained the reason for the erroneous impression.
"Of course, the team was there at the podium to celebrate with Lewis," he said.
"As many of the team as it was practical to get to the podium were there because we enjoy it. We love standing there and clapping and cheering for our driver."
However, Allison reveled that a contingent of personnel had been required to stay behind to collect Russell's damaged W14.
"Necessarily, 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.
“But the rest of the team were all down at the podium and cheering along with everyone else.
"But the cameras do not show everything and the big story there was of course the first win this year for a non-Red Bull team.
"So, showing all of the overjoyed Ferrari faces was very high up the list of things that made for good TV and indeed the pleasure from the McLaren folk as well.
"There was a very significant number of all teams down there at the podium ceremony.
"We were a big part of it but not maybe where the camera lighted during the podium celebrations."
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