Lewis Hamilton had hoped to deliver a strong result in Singapore qualifying, but certain aspects of track operations, in his view, slowed him down and ultimately left him in sixth place.
While Charles Leclerc criticized the team for necessary adjustments made after Free Practice 1, Lewis Hamilton believed he could secure an excellent result in the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying. However, like his teammate, he was unable to achieve it.
The seven-time world champion had already shown strong pace in Q1, demonstrating speed and consistency. Yet, several factors, according to him, deprived the SF-25 of its full potential and prevented a higher starting position for tomorrow’s race.
Hamilton highlighted issues with the program executed between Q2 and Q3. The waiting time in the pit lane, combined with the resulting drop in tire temperatures—taking them out of the optimal operating window—appeared to be the main reasons behind a qualifying session that ultimately left him in sixth on the grid.
“I felt good with the car all weekend. From my first lap in Q1, I felt strong and believed we could fight for the top positions,” Hamilton explained.
“Then the way the program is carried out, the waits in the pit lane, the drop in tire temperatures—these factors prevent us from optimizing the session as it unfolds. It’s something we need to discuss to try and make the sessions better.”
Hamilton pinpointed these details as the cause of today’s disappointing result. It’s an issue the team will need to address to find improvements, possibly drawing inspiration from rivals who seem to handle similar situations more effectively.
“We will need to discuss this with the team. Go through it calmly to find a solution. Everyone is trying to work in the best possible way, but we should also look at what others are doing,” he added.
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