Lewis Hamilton hears the verdict from the Stewards. Photo: RacePictures.

Hamilton puts a brave face on yet more disappointment as Ferrari fail to show up for Singapore GP qualifying

17:54, 04 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Lewis Hamilton has labelled his performance in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix as a "disappointing result".

I think, naturally, you've seen Red Bull had an upgrade. I think Mercedes have found something, and we haven't. So we're just fighting with what we have.

- Lewis Hamilton

The Briton managed to beat his teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying for Sunday's race around the 19-corner Marina Bay Street Circuit but admitted they were no match for rivals Mercedes, Red Bull or McLaren, who had qualified ahead of the the Ferraris.

"The car's been feeling good during the most of the weekend. It's ultimately disappointing with the result," Hamilton said.

"Since Q1, the car was feeling good. The tyres were feeling good. And then when we get into the next sessions.

"Q2, run 1 was fairly decent. But we are like the last in the queue often and then [we're] waiting in the queue and losing a lot of temperature in the tyres and every time we do that, then we just fall further and further back. It happens every weekend."

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Lewis Hamilton makes his way out of the pits during qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. Photo: RacePictures.

With Ferrari's timing for their runs in Q3 was questionable and resulted in them spending long time at the end of the pitlane in which they lost tyre temperature, which Hamilton believes cost him and Leclerc.

The British Ferrari driver thinks this has been a constant problem with this season's tyres and has slipped past the FIA's regulatory gaze.

"It has [been a factor this season], but I don't know whether or not they [the FIA] see it so much.

"But we're losing so much temperature. And maybe five, six degrees, whatever it is, it's still a lot of temperature. And it's really hard to gain that back in the out lap without using the tyres so much, which we ultimately do.

Lewis Hamilton qualified P6 for the Singapore Grand Prix. Photo: RacePictures.

"I think the guys that are on pole, they went out quicker, with less wating. So I think there's something that's an area we can improve on for sure."

Hamilton then stated he had taken the matter up at the recent Drivers' briefing, but to no avail. He added:"I mean, I told them in the drivers' briefing, I thought it was better before. Many of the rules have changed since the new people [started] coming."

Ferrari's lack of development

However, his and Ferrari teamate Leclerc's results cannot be pinned down solely on a temperature drop. According to Hamilton Ferrari's ineffective development of their SF-25 car also plays a key role in their inability to challenge for poles and victories.

He said: "You've seen Red Bull had an upgrade. I think Mercedes have found something, and we haven't. So we're just fighting with what we have.

"Everyone's trying so hard, but it's definitely disappointing to finish what we are today, when there was potential to potentially be higher."

A higher qualifying spot was in the cards, though, Hamilton felt.

"I wish I was higher up. I really felt that we could have been higher up today. It happens every weekend.

"I'll be on my toes, ready to capitalise on any opportunities," an assertive Hamilton concluded.

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Lewis Hamilton puts the SF-25 through its paces in FP2 at the Singapore GP. Photo: RacePictures.

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