Lewis Hamilton would welcome the possibility of rain at the Singapore Grand Prix as Ferrari prepares for an unusually demanding Marina Bay weekend. For the first time, Singapore will use the Sprint format, leaving drivers with only one free-practice session before competitive running begins.
The weather could add another layer of difficulty, with rain potentially making an already challenging street circuit even more unpredictable. Lewis Hamilton believes wet conditions would provide a genuine test for the drivers and would not be opposed to facing that challenge in Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton would welcome rain at the Singapore GP
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Lewis Hamilton reflected on how wet-weather Formula 1 has changed since earlier in his career. “Wet races are no longer what they used to be. In 2008, I remember having some great races in the rain. Those are the conditions in which we, as drivers, are really tested. I certainly wouldn’t mind having to face that challenge here in Singapore.”
The prospect adds another intriguing element to a circuit already recognised for its demanding street layout, where drivers have little margin for error between the barriers. Ferrari heads into the weekend with several reasons for optimism, with Lewis Hamilton’s Singapore prospects with the SF-26 shaped by the particular characteristics of Marina Bay.
Singapore Sprint leaves Ferrari with only one practice session
Lewis Hamilton is also looking forward to the intensity created by the Sprint format. With just a single free-practice session available, the Ferrari driver will have to move almost immediately from preparation into qualifying mode.
“It’s exciting to come here to Singapore and know that there will only be one free-practice session,” Lewis Hamilton added. “But we are all in the same boat. You can start on the right foot or you might not, so we’ll see how it goes.”
The reduced practice schedule will make preparation particularly important because teams will have very limited time to understand the circuit, refine set-up and establish confidence before qualifying. The challenge has already been identified as one of the central themes of Ferrari’s first Singapore Sprint weekend.
For Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, the combination of a demanding street circuit, restricted preparation and the possibility of rain could therefore make Marina Bay one of the most intense weekends of the season. How quickly the SF-26 reaches a competitive operating window after its sole practice session could prove especially important once qualifying begins.
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