11 hours ago
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Lewis Hamilton – as he’s often found during a frustrating first season with Ferrari – lacked the pace he was expecting in qualifying yesterday.
The seven-time world champion was slightly bemused afterwards, telling TV cameras: “Q1, the car and tyres were feeling good but Q2 run one was fairly decent but then we are the last in the queue often and losing a lot of temperature in the tyres and every time we do that we fall further and further back. It happens every single weekend.
“The guys on pole went out quicker with less waiting in the pit lane. It’s an area we can improve on.
“Red Bull have had an upgrade, Mercedes have found something I think, and we haven’t and we are fighting with what we have. Everyone’s trying so hard but it’s disappointing to be where we are when there was potential to be higher.”
Qualifying standings
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Russell (Mercedes)
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Verstappen (Red Bull)
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Piastri (McLaren)
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Antonelli (Mercedes)
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Norris (McLaren)
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Hamilton (Ferrari)
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Leclerc (Ferrari)
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Hadjar (RB)
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Bearman (Haas)
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Alonso (Aston Martin)
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Hulkenberg (Sauber)
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Lawson (RB)
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Tsunoda (Red Bull)
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Bortoleto (Sauber)
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Stroll (Aston Martin)
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Colapinto (Sauber)
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Ocon (Haas)
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Gasly (Alpine)
Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz (both Williams) look set to start the race from the pit lane after being disqualified from qualifying, although officials are yet to confirm this.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another race day in the Formula One calendar.
George Russell stole the show in Singapore GP qualifying yesterday with a stunning run in his Mercedes to claim pole, pipping Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who qualified in second. The world championship leader Oscar Piastri was third, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fourth and Lando Norris back in fifth.
Russell actually crashed in practice on Friday, but recovered in fine style. Afterwards he said: “I had a difficult day yesterday for many reasons but it’s good to come back and get a good result today. I knew there was potential in the car.”
So, can he hang on round the Marina Bay circuit this afternoon, or will the chasing championship contenders haul him in? It’s all set up rather nicely, with the race due to begin at 1pm (BST), which translates to 8pm local time in Singapore – and who doesn’t love a night race? Stick with us for updates and feel free to drop me an email. Let’s gooooo.
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