lewis-hamilton-singapore-gp-f1
Lewis Hamilton speaking with the media during the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: RacePictures.
F1 News

Hamilton and Hadjar warn ten drivers face crucial setback in Singapore

13:24, 05 Oct
Updated: 03:16, 06 Oct
0 Comments
Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar believe that all drivers starting the Singapore Grand Prix on the inside line will be hampered by the dirt on that side of the track.
I hope they take the most of those machines to clean the track, otherwise I'm definitely going to lose a posittion.
- Isack Hadjar
To get a good launch off the line, drivers need all the available grip they can get. However, as the natural racing line down the main straight is always on the outside, this leaves the inside of the track dusty and dirty, which limits the amount of grip available, and hinders the effectiveness of the tyres reducing the amount of traction as they get off the line.
Speaking after qualifying Hamilton was asked about the issue and hoped that measures would be taken to make sure the left hand side of the main straight was cleaned ahead of the start.
He said: "I definitely think the dirty side is dirty. So I would hope they would try and clean the track. I don't know whether or not they will tonight. But yeah, the inside is definitely not great."
lewis-hamilton-ferrari-singapore-f1
Racing Bull's Isack Hadjar was of the same opinion as Hamilton, and even warned he'd 'definitely' lose a position if cleaning procedures were not carried out.
He said: "Yeah, it's too much penalising [starting on the inside], that's for sure. I've tried both sides in FP, there's a clear difference, so I hope they take the most of those machines to clean the track, otherwise I'm definitely going to lose a posittion.
When asked if the situation would actually be that critical, he reaffirmed: "The street circuit is very bad on the inside lines. That was the case as well [in Baku]. Budapest was the case [as well]."

Tyre strategies available for Singapore

With the FIA increasing the speed limit in the pit lane, there was much talk of the race potentially becoming a two-stopper. Pirelli recently announced their estimated optimum tyre strategies ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, find out what they are here.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
Spotify:
loading

Loading