World champion thinks Saturday could be his toughest fight for pole in 2015 after finishing fourth in Friday practice at Singapore
Tuesday 22 September 2015 09:20, UK
Lewis Hamilton admits Singapore looks like being his toughest fight for pole position this year after Friday practice.
The world champion has taken pole position for all bar one of 2015's grands prix, when he started second to team-mate Nico Rosberg in Spain.
However, it was Red Bull and Ferrari who proved to be Hamilton's principal opposition on Friday with Daniil Kvyat setting the pace at the Marina Bay Circuit ahead of the Scuderia's Kimi Raikkonen.
Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull was third fastest, leaving Hamilton just fourth ahead of Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari.
"It looks like that could be the case," Hamilton told Sky Sports News HQ when asked if this weekend could be his toughest fight for pole.
"Ferrari are very fast or equally as fast and Red Bull look like they are quicker from the timetable. So we will see, but we will still be fighting."
Hamilton looked exhausted afterwards and admitted the sweltering conditions had taken their toll.
"The sessions were good, we got on with our programme and it was enjoyable," he added.
"The track is really, really hard, it is so physical here. But no real problems."
Analysis by the Sky Sports F1 commentary team concluded that not only were Mercedes - for whom Hamilton's team-mate Nico Rosberg was just seventh - struggling to match the ultimate pace of their rivals but they were also adrift on long-run pace as well.
While Red Bull lapped at an average time of 1:51.3 during their race simulations, Ferrari were measured at 1:51.5 and Mercedes at just 1:51.8.
"As it stands at the moment, Mercedes have a big job to do to get back on a par with their rivals," concluded Sky F1 commentator David Croft.
While Hamilton was wary of the Ferrari threat, Raikkonen was keeping expectations in check ahead of qualifying.
"We were doing our normal Friday, so obviously tomorrow is another day. So far we are doing okay, there are always things to improve, but it was more or less okay," the Finn said.
"It's Friday and it's hard to say. From the laptimes we will try and have another good day tomorrow and go from there.
"We had a small issue [on the long run]. But the car is behaving well so no problem."
Pacesetter Kvyat was also downplaying his Friday pace and hasn't set any targets for qualifying.
"Hopefully we can carry this until tomorrow," the Russian said. "Obviously it is not going to be easy, everyone will work hard tonight, but we will try to do our best to be in the same position tomorrow.
"We can get good points, but I don't have any particular expectations for tomorrow."
