Lewis Hamilton admitted Mercedes are “only a bit misplaced” with their automobile after a “very difficult” begin to the Singapore GP weekend which has left him involved about whether or not they are going to make the grid’s prime 10 in qualifying on Saturday.
With Mercedes aiming to hit again on the streets of Marina Bay following a troublesome Baku relative to the front-runners final week, when Hamilton particularly endured a troublesome weekend after an engine penalty left him beginning the race in the back of the sector, the crew’s drivers each struggled with a misbehaving W15 on Friday.
Hamilton completed each periods exterior of the highest 10 and whereas team-mate George Russell fared a bit higher within the extra consultant floodlit operating to take seventh, his Follow Two ended with a late crash into the obstacles.
“The automobile feels very troublesome. A really difficult day,” mentioned Hamilton after ending eleventh quickest and 0.982s off the tempo set by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
“We tried all the things set-up sensible and nothing appears to work with the set-up. Undoubtedly very difficult.
“We’re giving it all the things then you definitely discover out you’re a second off. Finally, only a bit misplaced. Probably not positive the place to place the automobile.”
George Russell complained about his automobile’s lack of tempo after crashing into the wall throughout P2, whereas Mercedes team-mate Hamilton is just not assured of constructing Q3 throughout Saturday’s qualifying in Singapore
Requested about whether or not set-up modifications made to the automobile between the 2 observe periods had made any distinction, Hamilton replied: “No. We tried loads and achieved the identical factor.”
And on the proof of Friday’s type with out enchancment, Hamilton predicted: “For the time being we cannot be going into Q3.”
Russell: Now we have a whole lot of work on our palms
Russell drives nostril first into the obstacles throughout P2 however manages to return to the pits on the Singapore GP
Though he might have completed barely nearer to the entrance, Russell reported comparable points and considerations to Hamilton on the finish of the session.
Requested concerning the crash within the closing moments of P2 which noticed him nostril the barrier and injury the entrance of his automobile at Flip Eight, Russell mentioned: “Not loads to say, actually. Locked up, took the entrance wing off.
“It was a very difficult Friday for us.
“We have been actually off the tempo; we have to perceive why that’s. I am positive we’ll discover some solutions.
“We have made some large modifications from FP1 into FP2 however the automobile’s simply not likely feeling that effectively related because it was this time 12 months in the past and in latest races, so we have to attempt to unravel it.”
Though Mercedes did outpace struggling Purple Bull, they themselves completed behind each RB automobiles – the crew which proved the day’s shock package deal – whereas the hole to the lead McLaren and Ferrari automobiles was massive.
“There are a whole lot of surprises on the market,” mentioned Russell, who crashed out late on whereas chasing victory in final yr’s Singapore race after qualifying on the entrance row.
“The VCARB [RB] is absolutely fast, the Williams is absolutely fast. The Purple Bulls appear to be off the tempo.
“There appears to be an enormous hole to the McLarens and the Ferraris so at the least we hope to be between that midfield hole and the entrance 4. However proper now we now have received a whole lot of work on our palms.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s stay Singapore GP schedule
Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Singapore Grand Prix
Saturday September 21
8am: F1 Academy Race One
10.15am: Singapore GP Follow Three (session begins 10.30am)
1pm: Singapore GP Qualifying build-up
2pm: SINGAPORE GP QUALIFYING*
4pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday September 22
8.30am: F1 Academy Race Two
11:30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Singapore GP build-up
1pm: The SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX
3pm: Chequered Flag: Singapore GP response
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion
Components 1’s thrilling 2024 season continues stay on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend with extra gorgeous road circuit motion, this time below the lights on the Singapore Grand Prix. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
