Hamilton saw chance of pole position: "Just didn't have the grip"

For the first time this season, Lewis Hamilton will start from third place on the grid. The Mercedes driver set the pace on the soft tyres in the final qualifying session, but couldn't hold onto the likes of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in the final few minutes. 

Drying track

Over the years, Hamilton has demonstrated he is one of the better drivers on a drying track. That was the case in Singapore after some rain earlier in the day. The Brit set a time two seconds faster than the rest of the field initially but couldn't hold onto the advantage. Hamilton explains he was pushing really hard despite the conditions. 

"I was pushing so hard. It was so so close. I was trying so hard but these guys are always so quick. I thought maybe, maybe with the perfect lap which was hard. Just didn't have the grip on the last lap. Nonetheless, I am happy to be on the second-row," Hamilton said in the post session interview. 

Hamilton starts from third-place on the grid, but the other side of the garage will not be as pleased. George Russell failed to reach Q3 and will start from 11th on the grid.